Dear Members,
It has been a while since we published an issue of our magazine. I wish I had an exciting story of high adventure to share about why we have not sent out a magazine, but ultimately, life has been busy, and time seems to fly by. I can’t believe that we are already halfway through this year and gearing up for the next. With that being said, I think it’s a good time to slow down and take some time to set priorities, celebrate wins and be present in the moment.
Our industry never stops. It is 24/7, always on the go — no matter what. Studies have shown that taking time for yourself throughout your work week is beneficial for a number of reasons. It can promote good physical and mental health, helping you manage stress and enhance resilience.
In other words, “Slowing down is sometimes the best way to speed up,” as Mike Vance so wisely stated. Slowing down allows you to prioritize presence over productivity. It helps you fully engage in your activities, whether it’s work, spending time with loved ones or simply enjoying a meal. This shift in mindset enhances the quality of your experiences.
To that end, I am so excited to have Bethany Blair on the KTA team. She focuses on communications and membership and helps with our magazine. This allows me to focus on pressing issues, to run our association and, yes, to slow down every now and then.
We had fun at the 2024 Truck Driving Championships. A big shoutout to all of the drivers for years of safe driving, planning, preparing, practicing, learning new skills and testing. These talented drivers are what driving is all about! A big thanks to our sponsors and to everyone who took the time to show up and cheer them on.
As an association, we work hard to plan training seminars, educational events and fun conferences where you can get away, learn something new, reconnect with industry partners and slow down. I hope that you will join us at one of our upcoming events and, hopefully, bring a friend. We are only as strong as our membership, and the more members, the better.
This issue also covers some important topics like independent contractors, REAL ID and voting. These are issues that should be prioritized as an industry and as individuals.
I hope you will take some time to slow down and enjoy all that we have been blessed with. I am always a phone call away if you simply want to catch up, need help or have a suggestion.
Regards,
Rick Taylor
KTA President
