Lessons I learned as a Pizza Delivery Driver
Oh, Yes. Pizza delivery within a major metropolitan area is my transitional means of income. While it doesn’t define me, it sustains my livelihood and finances my personal and professional growth. Therein lies the creative challenge: Can I sell you on the idea that pizza delivery is not as mundane as it sounds? That it’s the most people-centric job I’ve had since my newspaper reporter days? Lend me your ear because Creative Jason can do this in 30-minutes or less.
Professionally. my resume defines ‘Delivery Expert’ as delivery in a timely manner. What factors play into that timeliness is what matters, maintaining the integrity of the ‘comfort food’ purchased. Attention to detail is critical. Technology and situational awareness also factor in along with locating drop-offs and maintaining clear customer communication. Building and maintaining high standards for speed, communication, quality, and customer satisfaction must be met consistently. Adaptability and multi-tasking are key to the service-nomadic life. In my three-plus years in this industry thus far, I can attest to at least a few time-tested, multi-faceted truths.
Your co-workers become your second family
Sadly, most of these friendships are transitional. If you made a positive impact, though, it still counts.
The time invested to make ends meet certainly says such. Most of us work 40 or more hours of week , drive up to 80 miles a day or night minimum. We work into the early morning with little compensation. Surprisingly, it’s easy to find joy amidst these first-world struggles. The mental gymnastics we perform to meet our clientele’s ever-changing needs can lead to many laughs behind closed doors at days end. Often we operate as master minimalists of commerce, meeting the bottom line with the fewest agents possible. But the trade-off lies in that our struggle unites our purpose to get home and recharge our minds and bodies. Our perseverance alone makes each paycheck meaningful.
Be Active in Mind and Body
Speaking of which, being in decent physical and mental shape can make the job much easier for a delivery driver. Physically, stretching and mobility are important with the number of hours a driver spends standing, walking to and from, squatting and lifting heavy food parcels for 8-12 hours a shift. And the number of times you get in and out of your car will do a number on your hip if you don’t stay active. I take my income seriously, so weight-training, mace work, mobility, jujitsu, and more are critical to my peace of mind and body in and out of the workplace.
Mentally, various external and internal challenges arise on the road. Speed in processing correct change for customers, navigating traffic, remembering apartment gate codes, delivery instructions, making sure all order items are accounted for and knowing when to ‘question everything’ in regards to some customer’s honesty. Trust me, knowing when to flip this switch gets obvious with time.
Last but not least in delivery mind games are the long-periods of time on the road, which can be both a blessing and a curse. While not on the level of say, a CDL Trucker, I can confirm delivery driving depression is real. I recommend using the time to listen to educational and inspiring content and being mindful to not re-visit circumstances you have no control over in the present. Spotify and Audible are in constant rotation in my mobile-office. Above all, let your negative thoughts come and go from your mental train station but never let they stay long enough to affect the task at hand. Feel your feels, than press past them.
This concludes my inside look into the delivery world from a creative’s perspective. Much more can be said, but some mystery should remain for those embarking on their own journey through or up the service hierarchy. Say what you will, pizza delivery delivers ‘soft skills,’ if taken seriously, can lead to a lifetime of advancement in every other area of one’s professional and personal life. In the meantime, just keep your bodies fit, your mind open, and your dreams big. Whether this is your first job or a side hustle to beat inflation, food delivery season of will never get dull and thusly is a great precursor to life.
