Permit to Success

Driving me crazy

Daniel, dock manager for a milk processing plant in Battle Ground, Washington told session four of the Leadership Development Lab...

"About six years ago, I got my first learner's permit. I was eager to learn to drive so I could buy my own car and quit bumming rides. Unfortunately, life became so busy that I never got a chance to practice driving. I learned the hard way that Washington state learner's permits are only valid for two years. Mine expired. I gave up on my dream of having my own car.

"Two years later I paid the fees and took the tests required to get my second learner's permit but still didn't find a way to practice driving. And the same thing happened, my permit expired. Last year I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the third time, paid the fees, took the tests, and got my learner's permit. This time it was different. Every time we went anywhere I bugged my mom, 'Let me drive.' Within a year I was ready to take my driving test. I passed with flying colors. A week later I bought a brand new 2017 Hyundai Elantra. When I drove my new car off the dealers lot it only had 27 miles on the odometer. After only a few weeks and trips to the Oregon coast I have over 2,700 happy, fun miles.

"The President of our company asked me to study for my commercial driver's license (CDL). I was thrilled at his vote of confidence and I have risen to the challenge. On October 26th I rode along with one of our drivers making his daily run. In between our stops I called around to truck driving schools that offer CDL courses including Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA. I was excited to learn about their program including 40 hours of classroom training and 120 hours of truck driving skill development. This will prepare me to pass the Washington State Class A commercial driver's license exam. I will be certified with my CDL drivers license in the first quarter of 2018. This additional training will qualify me to fill a larger role in our company and provide opportunities for my advancement.

"The lesson I learned from this experience is to never give up on my dreams. When I keep my eyes focused on the roadahead I will succeed.

"The action I call you to take is set stretching goals, if you miss on your first try don't give up. And if you miss on your second try or even your third try don't give in, don't give up.

"The benefit you will gain is you will be on the road to success. And one success will lead to another and on to still another."