“I don’t know the word ‘quit.’”

That’s what Prime driver of twelve years and uncle Alfred Hincks had to say about the value of endurance. While the word ‘endurance’ is often used when referring to an athlete’s ability or personal stamina, it’s also an important virtue that speaks to someone’s ability to persist through hardships.

How can Prime driver fathers and father-figures encourage endurance in their children? How can having endurance help us accomplish tasks and reach our goals? Who are the people in life that inspire us to keep going?

This week, Good Dads spoke with Alfred on the topic. From stories of his late grandfather to getting inspiration from his family, Alfred shares his philosophy of never giving up and having endurance, even when the going gets tough.

Find people who push you to succeed

Prime driver fathers and father-figures know that life can throw us curveballs. For Alfred, breaking his arm in four different places and having to switch jobs while pursuing a degree in computer science was quite the curveball! These sudden changes to his life led him to experience depression.

It was his wife, EricaJo, who helped him strive for success, especially through his depression.

“When I think ‘endurance,’ I think of my wife,” Alfred said.

Having friends and loved ones push us to be the best we can be is a large piece of the endurance puzzle. Giving up on a difficult task is tempting, but having words of encouragement or even a reminder of their presence can go a long way.

Since he loved driving, EricaJo and Alfred’s friend, David, encouraged him to get his CDL. He credits his wife for encouraging him not to give up: And now he’s been driving for a living for 12 years.

“Anytime I’ve wanted to quit, she’d say, ‘You’re not done yet,’” he said. “She is my endurance. She doesn’t push me—she just reminds me that I’m still not done.”

Instill endurance in the people who look up to you

Alfred learned a thing or two about endurance from his late grandfather, Gale. Gale served in World War II and was a father-figure to Alfred, raising him from age 14 until he graduated high school. Whether it was playing football or participating in band class, his grandfather wouldn’t let Alfred give up.

“He wouldn’t let me quit anything,” he said. “He made me finish high school. His theory: you do not quit. Find a way to fix things or get things done; you just don’t quit.”

While Alfred’s wife never had the chance to meet his grandfather, he’s shared of stories with her. Gale’s enduring philosophy of endurance stuck with EricaJo, so if Alfred feels like giving up, she tells him, “Your grandfather wouldn’t let you quit, so I won’t let you quit.”

Alfred had a father-figure who instilled the value of endurance in him. How can Prime driver fathers and father-figures instill endurance in their children? Setting a positive example and demonstrating your own endurance are good places to start.

He’s always told his niece, Kristina, that persistence was key: Stay with one thing and give it a chance.

“Teaching her endurance means making sure I’m always available, even though I’m not home,” he said.

Have a visual motivator to help you with endurance

With the help of Kristina, Alfred’s big rig has a design layout featuring different pieces that mean something to him, honoring family members past and present.

“I knew I didn’t want a ‘Plain Jane’ truck,” he said.

Because Alfred described them as an “ocean family,” Kristina placed a tribal symbol with an anchor. Underneath is a quote honoring her father, who passed away: “I never walk alone, my dad walks with me.”

Alfred’s late husky, Cheyanne, is represented in the design, too. Cheyanne’s piercing blue eyes grace the hood of the truck. The handprints of his great niece and Kristina’s son are on the side, as well as memorials paying tribute to Alfred’s grandfather and Kristina’s father. Both men were veterans, and Alfred wanted to honor their military service.

These are just some of the pieces that make up Alfred’s truck. They represent different aspects of his life, and because of them, he’s inspired to keep on trucking.

“You’ll never see a change in this truck,” he said.

Decorating your truck with reminders of those you care about can help inspire you. Even if you don’t go all-in on redesigning your truck, having a physical reminder—such as a souvenir or photograph—provides a powerful motivation to keep going.

Make time for the people you care about

Alfred admitted that at times, it’s hard not letting the hard work of driving a truck get to him. He emphasized this isn’t a job you can go at alone; you have to talk to people.

“Being able to talk to people who understand gets you through the endurance of the everyday grind here at Prime,” he said.

Alfred says that he regularly talks with his old and current fleet managers and fellow Prime drivers. If need be, he has someone to call to talk it out with when he’s feeling down.

“(You’re) not out here by yourself,” he said.

His wife also ensures that he’s well-informed about the goings on back home. From regular photos of his two huskies, Detroit and Gus, to video chats with his great-niece, Alfred says, “I don’t miss much!”

As Alfred said, it’s important to remember that you’re never alone when you’re out on the road. Whether you have coworkers to chat with or family members back home, talking it out with those you care about helps us with our endurance.

Final Words

Some days, it can be hard to have endurance. Having something to look forward to and people to talk to can make all the difference. Right now, Alfred is focused on the future, with plans to eventually buy land to build a house on, spend more time with his family and adopt more huskies.

“I want us to be happy, however that might be,” he said.

Through encouragement and kind words from family and friends, Alfred continues his journey with Prime.

“Having the goals helps with (my) endurance,” Alfred said. “Having good friends with Prime to push you helps with that endurance, too.”