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For hauliers, maintaining a relationship while on the road is hard. But it’s not impossible, and it isn’t wise to allow our careers to get in the way of our personal lives. So what can those of us in haulage work do to ensure a happy, healthy relationship? Cover the Distance The most important aspect of any relationship is communication. Especially for a long-haul driver, it’s vital to keep in touch with one’s significant other. It’s difficult, too, but apps like Facetime have made it that bit easier. Just remember not to let this slide. Life as a haulier is busy and it’s tiring, but it’s important to stay in touch regularly. One missed call might not seem like a disaster, but the person on the other end of the line has no idea what’s going on and can be really hurt by an unintended silence. Active Listening It’s a cliché to say that bad communication causes arguments, but in truth perhaps that should be changed to bad listening causes arguments. So often, frustration comes about because we feel the other person is just not listening to what we have to say. But it’s not all about talking. Alongside reminding your partner how much they mean to you and telling them about the stresses of your day in haulage, work hard to listen to what they have to say as well - whether that’s by text, over the phone, or via Skype. Go Pro Relationship counsellors or therapists can be a great way to counteract the added communication difficulties of long-distance haulage work. Discussing your problems with a third party is not as daunting as it sounds, and it can really help unblock any jams that may have formed in your communication networks. All You Need is Time Time – t¬he golden commodity for all hauliers – is of course vital to a relationship as well. Experts recommend that couples spend at least 15 hours every week in each other’s company (at least two hours every day). For a long-haul driver, that’s like recommending they deliver to the moon and back. But there’s a way around this time-shortage problem. The secret is to make the most of the time you do have with your partner, whether that’s through sharing a meal together, going for a walk, or participating in a focused, bonding activity. Try not to let other people and other commitments get in the way. Balance the Load The easiest way to destroy a relationship is to put something else where your partner should be: in the centre of your life. So, when all’s said and done, even though your passion might be haulage, work has to come second to relationships. As we in the HGV industry know too well, balance is everything! Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage work with available drivers. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.
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