PCO drivers’ top tips to drive success in January

January can be a quieter month for everyone. The holiday rush is over, budgets are tighter, and people tend to stay in more often.

So how do drivers adapt to this seasonal shift and keep a steady income? We spoke with some of our drivers to learn how they organise their time, build routines, and use last year’s learnings to make January a successful month.

Joao: Start early and stay disciplined

Joao’s approach to January is all about discipline and having a strategy that he sticks to.

• Time management: “Normally, I prioritise mornings. If the jobs slow down, I adjust.”
• Work routine: Joao starts his day at 6am to catch the early commuters.
• Target trips: Joao recommends always looking for trips that offer higher earning potential.
• Lessons from last year: “You have to work smart.”

Joao shows that flexibility and planning are key. Starting early helps him catch morning rush-hour trips, a reliable income source as social events slow down after the festive season.

Raymond: Make the most of every opportunity

Raymond’s approach to January is about staying flexible and taking advantage of the demand when it’s there.

• Time management: “Get up early. Start between 4-5am around 6 or 7 days in January.”
• Work routine: He decides to split his day into two shifts when demand is there.
• Target trips: “Don’t rule anything out – take it!”
• Lessons from last year: He’s going to combine his earnings from January with February to make sure he manages his outgoings.

Raymond shows that a proactive mindset is key. Starting early and working in shifts allows him to gain opportunities throughout the day to build a steady income.

Manuel: Be available and trust the process

Manuel takes a different approach, focusing on being available and adaptable.

• Time management: “Being available” is key to Manuel's strategy.
• Work routine: He accepts all trip requests, regardless of type or distance.
• Target trips: Manuel doesn’t target any specific trips, he just stays as active as possible and trusts the process.
• Lessons from last year: January work can be hard to predict, but he doesn’t let it worry him. “It can be busy or less busy, but there are always requests coming in.”

By being open to all opportunities, Manuel makes sure to grab opportunities for steady work, even during quieter periods. He trusts the process and knows that putting himself out there will pay off.

Baba: Early shifts and consistency

For Baba, early shifts and a consistent schedule are key to his January strategy.

• Time management: “I just try to wake up early and work very early shifts for people going to work before it gets quiet.”
• Work routine: Baba commits to at least 8 hours daily, even if the day is slow.
• Target trips: Baba doesn’t target specific trips. “I do most of my work around South East London.”
• Lessons from last year: “It was pretty quiet last January. Hopefully, doing early shifts for people to get to work might improve their income.”

Baba has perfected his routine, using it to structure his day and rely on a consistent customer base he can count on. By focusing on early morning commuters, he can feel confident that he’s doing what he can to stay busy during January.

Key takeaways for PCO drivers in January

All the drivers use time management as an important part of their work. While this is helpful all year, it’s especially useful during quieter times like January.

Here are some of the other key tips they shared:

1. Start early: All four drivers highlight the importance of early shifts where demand can be more predictable.
2. Stay flexible: Adjusting schedules and being available for all kinds of trip requests can help drivers maintain steady work.
3. Be disciplined: Consistent effort, like putting in a set number of hours daily, supports a steady routine, even during quieter times.
4. Learn from the past: Looking at patterns from previous years can help guide your approach, showing you what to do more or less this time.

Our community of drivers support one another by sharing personal tips and insights every step of the way. Whether it’s starting early, staying adaptable, or learning from past experiences, they show that success in January depends on consistency, organisation, and a smart approach to boosting earnings.

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