Also stop running around with your head cut off smooth and steady is faster in the long run.... If you get overwhelmed take at break and get out of the package car walk around for a minute relax then get back and start delivering...
This is the best piece of advice any of us can give.
Today, I had to follow EDD for the 1st-3 sections. It was all I could reach and to try and skip around to get off bulk would have wasted time. Earlier in the week, I had to start at section 5 and deliver through to the start of section 7. That would have been impossible today.
All that said, if you have not had a supe ride with you for at least 3 or 4 days, I do not know what to tell you. We had a new TCD start on Tuesday and he had a supe with on Tu, Wed, Th and part of today. He is also on a route close to the building so that help is always close.
Some things to look for to make things go better: can I park in a spot and walk off 3-5 stops. I do that whenever I can. Today, my helper and I walked off 8 stops from 1 parked spot. If you have a helper, look for spots where you can each do a stop at the same time. Helper delivers one, while you do another 2 or 3 houses away. Helper walks up to the truck. If your helper cannot figure the board out, do not waste the time trying to teach him/her. There is no point dropping the helper off with a cart, 8 stops and the board, if they are not interested in figuring it out. You will come back to them and they will still be at the 1st stop, "I dunno, it just will not scan." or some other excuse.
Work with the limitations that you have.
Do not stare at a map trying to figure the best loop to run off the stops. Set it up once and go with it. Constantly resetting will waste more time for a noob than anything. Just do it. If you figure a better way, do that tomorrow.
Do not worry about section 8 or whatever until you get to it. Sometimes, you just have to worry about the next 5. When they are done, do the next 5. Put your head down and grind them out. When you look up, you'll realize that you just pounded off 50.
This week sucked. Things should taper off again before the crush right before Christmas. If you have a little lighter day than the day before, do not look at that as a "screw off day." Bust it off. Busting off a route every now and then is great for your confidence.
If none of that works, it is possible you are not cut out for driving. Not everyone can do it.