I have been driving just for over a year now. Just keep at it, it gets easier and better. Here are some things that helped me and still help me:
1. The sooner you can walk thru your truck the easier your day gets. Get irregs and bulk out as early as you can.
2. I still print maps daily, even if I've ran the route 50 plus times it helps.
3. Keep a little notebook w notes on the route, businesses that are tucked in residential areas, your hours, misloads etc...cover your ass
4. Communicate w your sup, oms, your loop partners. If you can't find a NDA let them know you can't find it. Bc maybe you don't have it or it was loaded incorrectly bc it happens...occasionally.
5. If you get blown out or bulked out, do what you can reach; from the front or rear door. Once you get space, sort your next five stops and be on your way
6. I know you are trying to make good time but take 5-10 daily to sort your truck, label your packages w a big marker w the HIN# if that's not already done, look for misloads. I struggled tremdously w truck organization until recently
7 if your route is heavy on pick up volume, use that marker or a send again notice to know where your pu volume starts and your delivery volume ends so you don't mix packages
8. Don't be afraid to break trace. If you have one stop on your 3000 shelf that is taking over the truck knock it out after your air before your 1000 and 2000 to get you some room
9 Work safe, drive safer
10 Own the road. Tight street in a residential, no room to pull over, don't, throw the flashers make the delivery and be on. People might have to wait 1-2 mins. Tough. This is your job, you don't honk at their job. Don't let them take bread off your table and away from your family
Every day there is 30 seconds to 5 min to 8 hours where I want to scream, cry, quit, and throw boxes bc the job is hard at times, your preloader smokes too much weed, or there is too much
In your truck but keep moving keep pushing along. I used to laugh about drivers saying one stop at a time one package at a time. But honestly they are right. Just knock one out, then another one out, and another. Next thing your know your day is over.