OK, so I’ve had clients say that they would rather be caught dead with their pants down than be seen in a driving school car that “looks like something form “Pizza Hut”.

Then I’ve also had clients that expected lavish praise throughout the learning curve, with the reasoning that if they get to feel good, they would perform better.

Then I’ve also had clients that got lavish praise from previous instructors throughout the learning curve, felt excellent for it, but realised that being pampered actually got them nowhere else than under the wrong impression of their abilities and skill.

Why do I share this?

Because I believe that blogging is such a marvellous communication channel to bring new and varied insights!

Now here’s a few tips for you:

1. When you feel you’re doing something wrong, ask your instructor to explain why, and what you can do to improve.
2. When you doubt whether you’re right, but feel it may be right in certain circumstances, ask your instructor.
3. When your instructor asks you to do something questionable, ask them to show you proof of the procedure, if needed.
4. When your instructor tells you that you’re doing well, but you don’t feel it, it could be meant as encouragement only and could be due to a lack in confidence. Ask them anyway!

You see how many times I referred to “feeling”?

Thing is, anything new that you learn will feel wrong till you get it right. It’s your mind’s way of gathering facts and experiences and how you relate. How your body experiences what you go through has a separate impact and once mind and body is synchronised, you get that euphoric sense of accomplishment….and you can FEEL it, right down to your DNA, I tell you. Now when you get praised for an action you can feel THAT strongly about, there’s no doubt - it’s outright confirmation.

Don’t ever forget to pat yourself on the back - it’s an ORDER! ;o)

If, on the other hand, you get that “Oh, you’re just saying that to make me feel better” feeling, you could rack it up to a lack of confidence or, then again, if your instructor keeps on praising you regardless of the worst obvious error you make, as if to imply that your action was right, it’s time to find another instructor.

You see, in my job, encouragement and guidance stand separate from praise. I enforce positive outcomes with praise and the balance goes to the other two. Basically, guidance is helping you to get where you need to go in your development, encouragement is there when you falter, and praise is for those moments we celebrate together (however insignificant you may think the experience is).

Do I expect people to go into Touchy-Feely Mode?

Nope, what I DO expect is that you would pay very close attention to your perception of danger, your instincts, sense of self-preservation and your intuition - truly invaluable tools. All of these, I rely heavily upon to help you build your sense of judgement to pass your driver test as a matter of course and confidence; so you may experience driving as a pleasurable and safe activity; a solid foundation for you to build on throughout your driving years.

Feeling stupid, shy or embarrassed while doing K53 procedures happens to all learner drivers. I’ll let you in on a secret. The ones that have a clear goal of getting their licence, no matter what, those are the ones that overcome this hurdle the quickest. They focus on their goal, have their minds set, apply themselves, and accomplish what they’ve set out to do much quicker than the rest.

Oh, and did I mention that they FOCUS a lot? ;o)

There is no safe place for ego in driving - not while learning to drive and not once you’re a licensed driver - it is a guaranteed fact that ego is a Trouble Magnet. Be clever….DON’T go there, and if you encounter it in other drivers on the road, celebrate the fact that you kan keep yours in check, OK?

You CAN keep it in check, right?

Just enjoy driving and many happy, safe miles to you!