That time I became an Uber Driver…
I wouldn’t typically consider myself a hoarder or a collector. Recently this assumption was challenged by my eldest child with this exasperated comment,
‘Mum, you’re not supposed to collect jobs!’
She had a point. At the time, I was coaching and writing and teaching. Oh, and did I mention I had also just become an Uber driver? Let me explain…
While trying to book a ride out for dinner with friends one evening I got out my phone and searched the App Store for Uber. I installed the app and then proceeded to enter my details. I entered them on one screen, and then the next and then the next. It did cross my mind that they seemed to want an awful lot of information to order a ride but I continued entering details. Several minutes later when I got to the sixth screen that asked me to take a photo of my driver's license I suspected something was up. That’s weird, I thought. And then I got a message to say thanks, we’re processing your application, and we’ll be in touch soon. Wait a minute!
I made a mistake, not an epic fail, but an embarrassing mistake. I didn’t order a ride, I’d registered to become a driver for Uber and my application was currently under review! I’d clicked on the first Uber app that had popped up and assumed it was what I was looking for. I can now confirm that it was not. I quickly deleted the first app, installed the correct one and ordered a ride.
On the way to the restaurant, I received no less than three messages from Uber welcoming me to the team. I shared my mistake with my husband and our friends over dinner. I felt stupid but we laughed and I forgot about it, until, upon checking our shared email later that evening my husband said, ‘Kel, Uber is keen for you to begin driving for them. They need to chat over the phone.’ What! He thought it was hilarious.
The following day I received two voicemails from Uber to complete the onboarding process. I ignored them. Over the course of the following week, Uber, to their credit, made several attempts to speak with me and welcome me to the team. I did eventually ring them, apologise for my error and inform them that I no longer wanted a career with them.
This mistake has now become a funny story. I don’t know about you, but some of my other mistakes have felt anything but funny. If you’ve recently encountered the entirely human experience of making a mistake and the uncomfortable emotions associated with it you’ll know exactly what I mean. Fear not, there are some quick and easy steps you can take to move on and to move through.
Practice self-compassion - Recognise that you will make mistakes and allow yourself a moment of kindness and forgiveness.
Take responsibility - Acknowledge your error and apologise. Make amends where possible.
Reflect on what you have learned - Consider what could have gone better and what you have learned from this experience.
My short-lived venture into taxi driving prompted me to recognise my mistake and after my initial embarrassment, I was able to accept it and laugh about it. I eventually took responsibility and rang Uber to make amends and I also learned three important things. First, I should always wear my glasses when selecting and installing apps on my phone. Second, Uber boasts an extremely efficient and expedient onboarding process for prospective drivers, and lastly, I learned, that I’m a person who will get it wrong from time to time. My mistakes do not define me and they do not diminish my worth. My mistakes make me imperfectly human. And I’m okay with that.