A technician's journey through journaling

May 30, 2022
The career path of an automotive technician is not for everyone, and many quit early. But keeping track of your failures and your successes will help get you through the tough learning curve ahead.

If there is one thing, I remember most about being a young, inexperienced technician it’s the frequent failures I encountered: it’s inevitable. The overwhelming sense of inadequacy flooded my veins, each time a made a mistake.

As time went by, the mistakes I made began to diminish. However, they returned, and they were certainly unwelcomed. I received a bit of friendly advice from a mentor of mine, and that advice helped me progress. His suggestion to me was to keep a journal.

The idea of the journal seemed like a silly waste of time, but I chose to do it, on blind faith alone (it was either that or get a smack across the back of the head, the next time I goofed up). What I found to occur in a very short period afterward was that I started to hold myself more accountable for my thoughts and actions. The thought of someone reading my journal entries inadvertently forced me to dot every “i” and cross every “t.”

The end-result

What did this yield to me? In time I became thorough and strategic in my thoughts and actions. Enabling me to work more accurately and productively. But, even more importantly, when I made a mistake and was forced to retrace my steps, the detailed notes allowed me easy access to correction actions. I could see exactly where I went wrong, after the fact.

When it comes to productivity and refinement, you simply cannot find an easier way to improve than to reference your journal entries. Take a few minutes to write an entry for each diagnostic challenge you encounter. Be sure to include the repair order number (in case you must reference it later) as well as pertinent information about the vehicle configuration and fault/DTCs exhibited.

Take careful notes about the tools you used, the tests you performed, and the subsequent test necessitated by the previous ones. Even when you perform an accurate diagnosis, by reflecting on these journal entries, you are asking yourself “What is it I could’ve done differently?”

Many times, you will notice an unnecessary step taken and will learn to refine your diagnostic approach for next time. Be sure to include your [temporary] failures as well. They will keep you humble and energized/confident when you would typically feel at your worst.

Take it from me, I’ve had many successes, but many more failures. If not for the journaling, I’m not sure if I would’ve had the internal fortitude to persevere to success. The road you have chosen as an automotive technician can be one of the most rewarding choices you could've made for yourself. Capitalize on all of the tools you have available for self-improvement and refinement. You will be on the road to greater success in no time at all. 

About the Author

Brandon Steckler | Technical Editor | Motor Age

Brandon began his career in Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a student of GM’s Automotive Service Educational program. In 2001, he graduated top of his class and earned the GM Leadership award for his efforts. He later began working as a technician at a Saturn dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he quickly attained Master Technician status. He later transitioned to working with Hondas, where he aggressively worked to attain another Master Technician status.

Always having a passion for a full understanding of system/component functionality, he rapidly earned a reputation for deciphering strange failures at an efficient pace and became known as an information specialist among the staff and peers at the dealership. In search of new challenges, he transitioned away from the dealership and to the independent world, where he specialized in diagnostics and driveability. 

Today, he is an instructor with both Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute. Along with beta testing for Automotive Test Solutions, he develops curriculum/submits case studies for educational purposes. Through Steckler Automotive Technical Services, LLC., Brandon also provides telephone and live technical support, as well as private training, for technicians all across the world.

Brandon holds ASE certifications A1-A9 as well as C1 (Service Consultant). He is certified as an Advanced Level Specialist in L1 (Advanced Engine Performance), L2 (Advanced Diesel Engine Performance), L3 (Hybrid/EV Specialist), L4 (ADAS) and xEV-Level 2 (Technician electrical safety).

He contributes weekly to Facebook automotive chat groups, has authored several books and classes, and truly enjoys traveling across the globe to help other technicians attain a level of understanding that will serve them well throughout their careers.  

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