Let’s talk burnout. With 72% of employees across every sector saying that burnout negatively affected their performance in the workplace, this is an issue that we need to discuss. And given the fast-paced, competitive nature of the freight industry, we’re even more at risk of burnout.
As all freight agents know, the 24/7 nature of our work means brokers can burn out before they can see their true potential. When attentive service can mean the difference between earning or losing business, balance is tricky. We get it.
Common career advice for avoiding burnout includes work-life balance and self-care. And that’s important! But there’s more to it than that: Avoiding burnout goes beyond self-care and that coveted work-life balance. Truly avoiding burnout means building your career as a freight agent in a way that helps you achieve your goals, and ensuring you have top-notch support to bring those goals to life — and joining an independent freight agency that provides you with the resources you need.
Read on to learn the secret sauce to thriving as a freight broker that so many Tallgrass agents have discovered.
1. Establish a Work-Life Balance
Okay, we get it, it’s a little counter-intuitive. Success in freight often means speedy customer service, whether it’s 11:00 AM or 11:00 PM. But also work-life balance? It’s enough to make even award-winning freight agents consider throwing in the towel.
Here’s a secret about work-life balance that no one talks about: Work-life balance is about playing the long game. Will there be late nights and early mornings? Yes. But can you make moves in your career to help achieve balance? Yes!
A key reason work-life balance gets out of whack is when you’re not in charge of your own schedule. W2 freight brokers know the pain. When you have deadlines and quotas and pressure coming from the top brass, it’s not easy to create boundaries to protect your personal life from getting overshadowed by the insanity of your work responsibilities.
If the phrase “work-life balance” feels completely unachievable to you, it may be time to find a new freight brokerage for your book of business! This is something we inject into the very culture at Tallgrass Freight. As our Director of Agent Development Jordan Brady says, this is one of the best parts of Tallgrass! “The flexibility here is amazing,” she shares, feeling like Tallgrass has empowered her to find that healthy balance between home and work. When you’re in charge of your schedule, work-life balance becomes more realistic.
2. Develop a Routine
One key to work-life balance is proactive productivity. If you’ve ever ended the day with a to-do list longer than it was at the start of the day, you know that “spinning my wheels” feeling! Too many wheel-spinning days in a row can lead to serious burnout.
Having structure in your day helps freight agents curb the overwhelm and stay on top of both existing loads and prospecting potential customers. Some Tallgrass agents prefer to divide these two key aspects of freight brokering between morning and afternoon, while others mix it up with regular check-ins on their loads every few cold calls. Find a routine that works best for you!
3. Connect with Peers
As humans, we’re most prone to burnout when we feel isolated and alone. Entrepreneurs are especially vulnerable!
So how can you set yourself up for success? Community! Connecting with others is key to avoiding burnout and feeling that sense of belonging in your workplace. Be open and vulnerable with your fellow freight agents about the challenges you’re facing at work, not just to receive their advice and insights! Sometimes all you need is to vent your frustration, getting the stress out of your head so you can focus on solutions.
The supportive culture at Tallgrass is one of freight agent Drake Y.’s favorite parts of coming to work! “I love the relationships I’ve made with people here,” he says. “I couldn’t ask for a better group to work with.”
Tallgrass agents have access to many ways to connect! From monthly team coaching webinars to hands-on daily support, a freight friend is always within reach. Our Roundtable events also provide space to engage face-to-face with people who have been in your shoes!
4. Become an Independent Freight Agent
Being a W2 employee may seem like the better way to avoid burnout on the surface. But in a W2 setting, you actually have less control over your success than it seems. Becoming an independent freight agent means you are the sole person responsible for your success! You decide your hours, your boundaries and your strategy. The freight brokerage belongs to you, so you get to make it match your ideal lifestyle!
At Tallgrass Freight, you get the best of both worlds. The independence of running your own business paired with the support of mentoring leadership and unparalleled back office support. How’s that for a recipe to avoid burnout?
5. Hire a Team
As your book of business grows, you should too! Sometimes resolving burnout is as simple as reducing your workload, and if your business is thriving then it’s probably time to start hiring a team. Agent Garett L. recalls the moment when he knew it was time to hire. He found himself struggling to chase down freight every day. “I knew that it wasn’t a matter of if I lose my market share, but when,” he says. “So it was time to bring on someone to help manage the accounts while also trying to gain new customers.”
Today, with a reliable and talented team, Garett is able to avoid burnout while building his agency’s book of business. “When you get enough good people in your corner, you can trust that they’re making the right decisions,” says Garett. “You can trust that they have your best interests at heart for your book and the business.”
Even better? The Tallgrass support staff is here to help with hiring! From reviewing your job description to offering interview pointers and more, we’ve got you covered.
Elevate Your Freight Career at Tallgrass
If you feel like you’re on the cusp of burning out as a freight agent, that doesn’t mean you aren’t cut out for this business! It may mean you need a more supportive environment, or greater independence in your work or even to take on your first hire for your brokerage! At Tallgrass, we’re passionate about ensuring our freight agents never have a reason to feel burned out. We want our agents to succeed, and that means making coming to work each day meaningful, exciting and burnout-free! Ready to experience the difference that partnering with Tallgrass can make for your freight career? Get in touch to find out more!