Call a what?

It had to be 2016 or so… I flew to Chicago for a presentation at TradeTec for a new exhibit build. In the morning, I was getting ready to head over as I had done many times, but I could not get a cab; there were none. The hotel tried for me as well. But nada.

Slightly panicked. I called my boss to say I could not get a cab, and I… “just take an Uber,” he interrupted. I said, “take a what?”

In the back of my mind, I vaguely remember him showing me this cool new thing at a Colorado show a while back. He was so excited.. showing me how you can see the cars moving around the screen, how far away they are, etc., etc.; For him: a kid in a candy store. For me: a technology idiot (at the time – I have made progress since) thought, who needs this? It’s stupid – no thanks.

As I stood in the lobby on my phone, getting closer to being late and really looking stupid, I surmised that I should have downloaded that app right then and there in Colorado because we were all supposed to be Ubering for business trips. I missed that memo. “Take a what? Oh yeah, sure, I will do that. Stupid me – it totally slipped my mind. Liar! Like, I’m Pinocchio, and my nose is growing.

I whipped out my phone and credit card, downloaded that app, and prayed that the technology gods were watching over me. 10 mins later, I watched that little black car speed toward my hotel on the screen.
I have never looked back, and I made the meeting.

Fast forward to 2022. It’s the fall, and I can not work in my industry until September 2023. Due to a little thing called a non-compete. So I’ve got some time on my hands.

The plan for my Gap year: pushing myself to do things that make me uncomfortable. The goal of my plan: is to grow. And it does not matter how small or big the thing is.

Before Thanks Giving, I proclaim – I will drive for Uber.

I said it. A week went by. I said again; another week went by. Keep in mind I was talking to myself. Then I took a leap – I told people, Ok, now I have to do something. So, I started the process. It’s all done on the app. It’s a comprehensive background check. If you have ever wondered what the Government has on you – join the Uber team. You will know quick enough. It took me about three weeks to finish, and I was approved to drive. Ok… so go. I’ll start tomorrow; it’s tomorrow; I’ll start after I clean the bathroom. OH MY GOD. I got through that process, and now I can’t get in the dam car and turn on an app. Pathetic.

I love to talk to people, and I love to drive. Adding technology into that mix was so uncomfortable. That afternoon I went to Macy’s, and on my way home, I turned on the app and took off for home, praying that I would not get any rides, and I didn’t; cause what you focus on, you create. Whoa, thank God. I wanted to throw up. But I did have a better idea of how the app worked now since I managed to turn it on.

To be honest – I felt stupid. People do this every day WTF. I really should be able to do anything. If I can create (from nothing) a pinwheel (with graphics) on a Sunday in Boston in five hours with 2 mins to spare before the show opening, I can turn on an app and drive; it’s what happens after I turn on the app and get a ride is what gives me the most anxiety.

That pinwheel was no easy task and, of course, was the most critical part of the exhibit. The Dream Team got it done, and the nickname Gladiator was born – That’s another blog post! I felt like Oliva Pope, with my Dream Team assisting me the entire time.

That night – I got in my car to go to Barr Class. It was about 5pm. I was 3 mins into the drive and said fuck it, and I turned on the app – thinking nothing would happen, like earlier in the day; 4 seconds later, I accepted my first ride. I never made it to class and made 4 trips with tips 🙂 That night. I would have kept going, but I had dinner plans.

I was so excited. I felt like I had accomplished climbing mount Everest. And that’s what it’s all about. As you push through or lean into your uncomfortableness, you grow and create the ability to take on more significant uncomfortable. Now it’s not uncomfortable at all. I really enjoy doing it. I have met some great people, and I used some fancy NY driving to get a woman to the hospital in time to see her mom before she died. I was meant to be her driver that day.

I am very excited to see who I will be by this time next year… I may have written a book by then. A dream I have always had.

Create that vision board and lean in.

~VC