Do you love what you do?

"Do you love what you do?" It's a question that seems to pop up more often than not, doesn't it? Back when I was a young, ambitious Sunny, daydreaming of my future, I always pictured myself undoubtedly responding with a resounding "Yes!" Perhaps it was my naivete or an idealistic view of 'work.' Fast forward to today, and I find myself pondering: why is this question so prevalent? Is it genuine curiosity, or are we searching for validation in our own choices by seeking testimonials from others?

In the past, during my younger years, I'd often reply with a casual "yeah" to avoid seeming discontent with a position I did not feel valued in. Fast forward to today, when I turn the question back to those who inquire, I'm often met with shrugs and indifferent responses. Is the work most of us do merely a means to an end? A trade-off of weekdays to finance our weekends? It seems my generation, and the next, are craving meaningful work over wheelbarrows of money (though both wouldn't hurt). I consider myself fortunate to have found a role that feels significant, and I want to share why becoming a driving instructor might just be the perfect fit for those silently yearning for a fulfilling career.

Do you seek a job with purpose?

Today, my answer is a resounding "Yes, I love what I do." I count myself lucky to say that (As Drake says, we made it). This affirmation began years ago when I taught my first driving lesson, and the feeling has stayed with me for the past five years and counting. What makes this role so rewarding? For starters, it's about teaching a life skill that could one day save a life. The more people I instruct who navigate the roads safely, the better. You might say I see myself as an unsung hero, much like any other safety educator. When we do our job right, we prevent incidents, but the lack of praise is something we educators have grown accustomed to. After all, the absence of workplace injuries should be the norm, right? To fellow educators: No worries, we will get our flowers one day.

'Ah-ha' moments

Another aspect I adore about being a driving instructor is what I call 'ah-ha' moments. These are the instances that keep me coming back with a smile every time. Just last week, during a session teaching light-duty trailer towing, I encountered one of these moments. It was a Friday, the sky was blue, and I had two back-to-back sessions with a client's employees. The first session went over great; however, things quickly took a turn for the worse in the afternoon. The trainee arrived 20 minutes late, and through some open conversation, it was brought to my attention they had zero experience with trailering. I had attempted my usual teaching methods, but it wasn't clicking for this trainee. Now, you might wonder why this was frustrating—it was nibbling away at my chances of an early weekend! As my personal frustrations mounted, I realized something important: just like drivers who haven't taken any driver safety courses, instructors similarly can become complacent in their ways. That's when I asked myself a pivotal question: "What's wrong with how I am teaching this trainee?"

Taking a step back, I recognized maybe this individual learns differently. So, I decided to try a new approach. I hopped into the pickup truck, and with the trainee as my passenger, I demonstrated the skills. Verbalizing my actions in the future tense, I allowed them to visualize each step (we call this Commentary Driving). To my delight, the trainee nailed it! They backed up in a straight line, through narrow lanes, and offset corners as if they'd been doing it for years. The 'ah-ha' moment brought a huge smile to my face, and by the end of the training, I'd lost track of time because of the pure joy of teaching.

These moments are worth reflecting on and sharing. The young Sunny, juggling multiple jobs, would never have imagined using the 'F word' while working (I'm talking about 'Fun'). So, for those seeking a career path that's meaningful, enjoyable, and financially and mentally rewarding, I wholeheartedly recommend becoming a driving instructor. There are countless ways to grow in this field, and when those 'ah-ha' moments happen, trust me, there's no feeling quite like it.

Stay tuned for more insights on driver safety and the rewarding world of driving instruction. 🚗💡

Light Duty Trailer Towing