Flip The Script: You Are Not A Victim Of Uber And Lyft

Join RSG contributor Jay Cradeur as he shares the power your attitude has in your career.

In the dynamic world of rideshare driving, attitude is the steering wheel that guides our experiences. So much of our experience in life is determined by our attitude. If you feel good, generally, good things happen.?

If you feel lousy, things tend to take a gloomier turn. Life is like a mirror: if you shine bright, you will tend to attract people who also shine bright. If you have a bad attitude, you may notice others in your world have a similar bad attitude.?

I see this in my car. When I feel lousy, perhaps because I am tired or don't feel like driving, my passengers seem cold and indifferent. However, my passengers are great when I am awake, alive, and happy to be driving.?

They want to chat, share, and enjoy the ride with me. This is one of the great lessons of rideshare driving: we create our own experience. This article will invite you to flip the prevalent script that Uber and Lyft are doing terrible things to you.?

Instead, I invite you to be the author of your experience, accept that Uber and Lyft are companies that need to make money to survive, and they offer us a sweet opportunity to make money when we want to make money.

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Background?

It's an undeniable truth that a positive mindset can pave the way for a more enjoyable and profitable journey.?

As an eight-year veteran with over 30,000 rides to my credit, I've learned that our disposition on the road can profoundly affect our interactions with passengers and overall success.?

This article is an invitation to shift gears in your thinking, to take control of your rideshare career, and to navigate the industry with a proactive and empowered stance.

The Power of Attitude in Rideshare Driving

Consider life a reflective journey, where what you project is often what you receive. On days when fatigue clouds my enthusiasm , I notice a shift toward less engaging rides.?

Conversely, the energy is reciprocated when I greet my passengers with vigor and positivity. They engage, share, and leave my car with a smile. This synergy is a testament to the power of a driver's attitude.?

By flipping the script on the narrative that rideshare companies are the enemy, we can instead view Uber and Lyft as vessels that offer us the flexibility to earn on our terms.

Navigating the Narrative

The rideshare industry often gets a bad rap, with headlines that paint a bleak picture for drivers.?

Yet, my experience tells a different story. The industry has matured, and the initial gold rush has stabilized, but the saw remains sharp enough to cut through the noise.?

We must adapt and hone our skills, not lament the blunting of the blade. It is undeniable that I am making less money now than I did between 2016 and 2019 when I drove full-time, earning over $2,000 a week.?

Now, I wonder if I could do that in the same hours. When the pay decreases, we have two choices: work smarter or quit. With either option, you have a choice. You are not a victim.

Empowerment Through Choice

As rideshare drivers, we wield more control than we often realize. The power of choice—when to drive, where to drive, and how long to drive—is a remarkable freedom that many professions do not afford.?

This control is the cornerstone of driver empowerment, and it's up to us to make the most of these choices to meet our personal and financial goals. Drive full-time or part-time. Drive in the morning or the evening.?

Use your vehicle or rent a car . Drive in Sacramento or San Francisco. You can make many choices to create the work-life you desire.

Maximizing Earnings: Navigating Surge and Hotspots

One of the most effective tactics in a driver's arsenal is understanding and utilizing surge pricing and hotspots. These are the times and places where demand and the potential for profit are high.?

You can significantly boost your earnings without increasing your hours by strategically planning your schedule around these peaks.?

I rarely get access to bonuses any longer.?

However, some markets still have excellent opportunities. I prefer to drive at 4 AM when there aren't many drivers. I create my own hotspots!

Positive Mindset: Partnering with the Platform

Reframe the relationship as a partnership instead of viewing rideshare platforms as adversaries. We collaborate with these companies to provide a service, and in return, they offer us a platform to earn and connect with customers.?

This partnership can lead to a more fulfilling and lucrative driving experience when leveraged with a positive mindset . I saw Uber and Lyft as my enemy for most of my rideshare driving career. Perhaps they are.?

However, having this hostility in my heart doesn’t do me any good. I choose to be grateful for what I do have and stop focusing on what I do not have.

Utilizing Driver Support: Navigating the System

Contrary to the "evil empire" image sometimes ascribed to them, rideshare platforms provide a network of support and resources designed to assist drivers.?

From in-app help to community forums, there are myriad ways to get the support you need to overcome challenges and improve your driving experience. Our driver support could be better.?

Anytime I had an issue, it got resolved satisfactorily, albeit after quite a bit of bell ringing. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

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Key Takeaways

Here lies the roadmap for thriving in the rideshare industry: embrace a positive attitude, harness your control, maximize your earnings through strategic planning, view your role as a platform partner, and utilize the support available.?

This approach is not about denying our challenges but navigating them with agency and purpose. The road ahead is what we make of it, and with the right mindset, the journey can be as rewarding as the destination.?

To all my fellow drivers: let's steer clear of the gloom and doom and choose to drive on the sunny side of the street. With our hands on the wheel and positivity as our co-pilot, there's no limit to where we can go.?

So buckle up; it's time to enjoy the ride.

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