Rule 7. The only rule is work. If you work, it will lead to something It's the people who do all of the work all the time who eventually catch on to things. -John Cage
My last post was about I talked about work, not cherry picking rides and just taking care of yourself.
I feel vulnerable putting my weekly earnings here, but it really isn’t a lot. As you can see, on Monday I had the highest earnings. I slowly went lower and lower. I did a 40 hour work week. I took a day off on Christmas and today (Sunday). This is the most money I made in a week from Lyft. If you account for gas and food. I make about minimum wage from this job.
My mentality shifted to appreciating the good parts about the job. I have complete autonomy. I can take a fare or not take it. I turned down a 1/4 of my rides. I often accepted those $3 dollar rides. I choose my schedule to be noon to midnight. Later in the week, I decided to go home earlier and earlier. When I wanted to take a break and eat my homemade chili, I did. I would take an hour or 20 minutes.
A sketch of my office
I did get my account blocked on Friday though. I contacted support and they helped me resolve it quickly. They said I verbally assaulted my fare. I rarely speak to my passengers unless they speak to me. They listened to my side and reopened my account. It was a weird experience. I did 13 fares that day. I had conversations with two of them and both of them were very cordial. One was a Dutch writer from Medellin and the other was a shoeshine lady for a cowboy bar. I read about situations like this on Reddit. I thought nothing of it. I thought some drivers probably deserve it. Now I’m thinking… Are people doing that to get ride fares refunded?
Regardless, I drive as safe as possible, given Houston roads and unpredictable drivers, but I have accepted the fact that I can be kicked off the app for whatever reason. Right to work state. Right to get fired for whatever. I know I should be looking for another form of income.
I’m proud that I sketched two days in a row. Consistency!
I think it is important to me that I have a lot to think about while doing this job. I want to have money so I can do the things I want to do. I want to travel and I want to do art.
Does the custodian say I won’t clean that? No. That’s the job. If you don’t like the job. Go find a new one.
Introduction
I need to make money. I don’t have health insurance so I’m paying all my medical bills out of pocket. I don’t get paid until Jan 15th from teaching. Even then, it’s not that big of a pay check. The rideshare money I make during the winter break will cover me. What is work? Does a custodian shirk out on menial tasks? Is ego the enemy? These are some questions that I asked myself yesterday.
What is work?
I frequently read the reddit /Lyftdrivers subreddit.Personally, I think forums such as reddit is a place for people to complain, amateurs ask other amateurs questions and overall brain rot for the masses. It is entertaining and sometimes there are insights and information that can be valuable to your life. You just have to sift through the riff-raff. (See below)
From subreddit /Lyftdrivers. 60 hours!
I saw this post and I saw how many hours I was doing. I thought to myself, “Of course, I’m making peanuts. I’m not putting in the work.” The job itself is a gig and hustle economy. That doesn’t mean minimum hours and large rewards. If I want to make money, I have to have the discipline to put in the hours.
Yesterday, the first 6 hours I made nothing. Barely $50. By the end of my 12 hour shift, I made $179. More than I ever made in a shift. Was it difficult? A little. Was I tired? Yeah, twelve hours driving. Is it that bad? No. I could be sweating buckets, and pouring concrete. Could I do this for the rest of the winter break until I go back to substitute teaching? I’ll try.
To sum up this point. I need to treat this job like a real job and put in hours that will reflect income. Just because the first 2-3 hours are not going well, in terms of income. I shouldn’t quit and go home.
Does a custodian shirk out on menial tasks?
No. Easy answer. I’m not a custodian, but I see what they go through at schools and the places where I worked. They don’t get enough credit. Truly a thankless job. They unclog toilets, mop up vomit, and clean things that would make the average person gag. They do it without question.
Cherry Picking- I learned from street basketball. When a player stands at the other side of the court (during full court) and waits for a pass from his teammate to score a goal. Essentially doing no work but receiving the praise, benefits or rewards.
The lyft subreddit is rampant with cherry-picking rides that are valued. They don’t accept $3 rides here or there. I’m trying to get in the attitude that no ride is beneath me. Accept all rides, within reason. This is job. I should treat it as such. Does the custodian say I won’t clean that? No. That’s the job. If you don’t like the job. Go find a new one. Don’t even get me started with tipping! That’s another post.
Does the custodian say I won’t clean that? No. That’s the job. If you don’t like the job. Go find a new one.
Is Ego is the Enemy?
Earlier I wrote that I will accept all rides. This is where my agency and ego get in the way. Sometimes I’m tired and I want to take a 10 minute break, go to the bathroom, find something to eat. Is that $3 dollar ride worth it to hold my pee 15 minutes longer? I haven’t eaten in 3 hours and that taquería I passed has no line. Go? I ask myself these questions throughout the day. I hype myself up to keep going. Sometimes that I cancel or don’t accept rides when I’m tired or the above reasons. To summarize this point. Do your job, don’t shirk out on tasks, but if you need to take a break, take it. What you rationalize to not take a fare is on you.
Conclusion
I love driving rideshare because I feel it is more valued to the public than ubereats or doordash. People need to get where they need to go. They have to go to work. They just got discharged from the hospital, and they need a ride to their car or home. They just got released from jail and need a ride home. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a place they have to be. For whatever reason, they need a ride.
Treat it like a job. Set yours and stick them.
What if you were a custodian? Do you walk away from a spill. Take every job.
It’s been a long time since I posted. Why write blog posts? Why not.
I always feel guilty about not writing blog posts. No one reads it.
I should follow my own rules. Who am I doing this for? I’m doing it for me.
So if or when the time comes that I will need to write something important and meaningful to others. I would have already had the practice by writing for myself.
3 things.
I am a substitute teacher. I drive for a ride-share company. I still want to do art.
I left my elementary teaching position from last year. The job was so stressful and overwhelming. I can’t see how anyone can do that job. There are just so many responsibilities. I appreciate every job in a school because of my experience. The job is impossible to do perfectly. I can go on and on. Fast-forward to now. I decided to substitute teach to see if there’s some other aspect of education that I want to explore. Started in October. I should give updates of my experiences.
A gift during recess
I substitute in my old school district. Sometimes I see former students in 5th or 4th grade. When I subbed for my old school. A former student hugged me. A student that gave me a some trouble here and there. He gave me a gift (pictured above) while I was hanging around during recess. I’m not sure if he liked me as a teacher or not. Nonetheless, I appreciate it and I keep it on my shelf of student gifts.
I drive for Lyft. Truthfully, I always wanted to drive a cab. Just to try it out. In my mind, through media and pop-culture, the cab driver is very knowledgeable with city streets, traffic, establishments in their respective city. Think Jamie Foxx’s character in Collateral. The first month was fine and pretty fun. I’m in my third month. The honeymoon phase has worn off. It really is a grind. It is work. I do enjoy the stories. I will share some next time. (I like to practice my Spanish when I get fares that are hispanohablantes.)
A good friend keeps asking, “Is it worth it !? “
I still want to do art. I don’t really know how to start. I don’t know if I go on a path. Will it lead to something? I’m I wasting my time? I have a lot of insecurities.
markmagpusao.com 