Have you had problems with driving? Accidents, infractions, tickets? Do you have a tendency to freeze up when you drive, or become anxious when on busy roads? Or how about driving under the influence of an illegal substance? If you're having serious problems, you may need to seek the help of a psycho-therapist who can clinically help you get over your phobia or behavioural issues. However, if you are having issues deemed mild in nature, these tips might come in handy.
There is a growing body of research on motivation that sheds light on the difference between success and failure, achievement and falling short, some of which I covered in a previous post. While these five tips are applied to driving, they are applicable to any other areas of achievement.
1. Believe in yourself: this is the first important thing. Whether you feel like you're a terrible driver, or just can't drive in the city, you have to believe you can actually become better and more confident. Many people avoid discomforting situations, which causes further discouragement and then further avoidance. By believing you can be more confident and capable of changing you will be on the right track to change.
2. Skill can be developed: by believing in yourself first, you will be open to acquiring the skills you need to become better at whatever your falling short in. Believing in yourself doesn't negate the need for skill development. If you lack skill, thinking you're a good driver will not make you one. However, believing you can overcome your obstacles will propell you to learn what you need to. Watching an instruction video on YouTube, getting tips from a friend or professional, reading books are all ways you can improve your skill.
3. Bite-size accomplishments: if you are nervous about city driving, then heading down to Yonge and Dundas in Toronto to get over your fear might be overwhelming. Start instead with smaller busier streets and work your way up to Yonge and Dundas. You must continue believing you can do it, you have the capability to do it, and with a little experience you will accomplish your goal. Also, work at it daily. If your issue is checking your blind spot or mirrors, then intentionally practice checking them.
4. Think growth: if you believe that you're too old to improve or that the the world has passed you by or that some are simply better than others, then you won't be open to change. If however you believe in your own growth, regardless of age or passed failures, you will grow.
5. Set-backs are situational not reflective of capability: those who succeed and grow view set-backs as the result of situations that are beyond themselves. They don't blame others if they are the cause of the problems, but then they just move on and learn from the experience. Maybe you had a bad day; maybe you experienced a hardship; maybe you were ill. Those setbacks may be simply an example of a poor performance, but not lack of capability. If you've experienced set-backs and failures, find ways to learn from them, pull your chin up and grow. Like Rocky said in Rocky VII, "It's not how many times you've been knocked down, but how many times you've been knocked down and get up and keep moving forward."
We are capable of more than we realize. By working on your weaknesses, seeking help from others, learning new ways of thinking and responding to challenges, you will be able to achieve those things you desire.
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