5 Habits to Highly Successful Drivers

Hello friends, how was your weekend? 

I hope you had a great weekend and wish you all the best for the week ahead.

I had an extremely hectic weekend. I helped Michelle and Marisa decorate the house for the Christmas Holidays. I merely took orders, followed instructions and lifted boxes. Michelle tried to delegate but Marisa was the real authoritarian boss. Our decorations include two lovely Nutcracker soldiers currently guarding the fireplace in the family room. Please let me add, that I don’t believe the two beautiful Nutcrackers soldiers will be able to match for Marisa when she confronts them in the battle of destruction. I anticipate that they will be defeated long before the Christmas Holidays. 

Today I would like to share with you my thoughts on the 5 habits to highly successful drivers. While driving is full of turns, our lives are full of decisions. The key to a highly successful life is learning or knowing how to navigate towards each of our decisions. One way is to treat your decisions like turns in driving. When you are driving, whether you are turning right, left, or reversing direction, you must commit to the turn. In life you have to commit to your goals. You should make your decisions based on the activities necessary to accomplish your goals. Just as a driver is required to let other drivers know what he or she is about to do, you also have to communicate your goals and decisions to others.

Make a Decision

Before any major changes in our lives we typically go through the stage of evaluating our options. For example if we are purchasing a car will look at different types or models of cars within our price range. If we are thinking of a career change we don’t just jump off a cliff recklessly without specific goals. Instead we usually look at the various career opportunities available based on our interest, set new career goals and then decide which route to pursue. In driving before your turn, you need to make up your mind and then commit to turning. Hesitation can confuse others and put you in a dangerous position. Just like a driver we must make decisions in life. Our decisions should be based on our goals. We have to be decisive in terms of what it is that we would like to accomplish. 

We cannot be indecisive. We can be cautious but not indecisive and definitely don’t procrastinate. As drivers we are required to watch what other drivers are doing and keep an eye out for pedestrians on the road and sidewalks. In life you have to be cautious. Timing is also critical. Assess the risks associated with your decisions and take steps to mitigate such risks. You must also be on the alert for distractions that can adversely affect the outcome of your decisions and goals. You have to treat those as amber lights and proceed with caution.

Correct Signal

In driving correct signals are used to indicate to other drivers and users of the road the decision you are about to make. No matter what direction you are turning correct signals are important in driving. The timing of your signal is also very important. The best way to help you understand the importance of correct signals is to let you think about a young couple where the girl is very excited and wants to get married. I still remember the many clues my wife gave me before we got married 20 years. Just as giving correct signals are important, it is also vital to be able to read signals correctly. You can use correct signals to propel your career. For example, by entering to a specific training programme this could signal to your manager that you have a vested interest in your personal development and your career.

Don't back up (Don’t look back)

In driving if you miss your turn it is dangerous to turn around suddenly. The correct procedure if you miss your turn is to keep going until it is safe to turn around and go back. I have had a relatively successful career that has taken me around the entire world. I have made some mistakes along the way and learned some invaluable lessons. However, I have very few regrets and very rarely look back. In your life once you have set your goals and you have made your decisions, keep on going. Live in the present. If you have to look back, think only of the valuable lessons you learned and how to avoid the same mistakes later in life.

Occasionally in life we have pause and take few steps back or re-trace our steps. It could be we need to do a self-assessment or re-evaluation of our goals. You can view your self-assessment or re-evaluation similar to a U-turns. U-turn is used when you miss your turn. In driving U-turns are prohibited in certain areas. They are not permitted in front of a fire station, on a one-way street, in a no-passing zone, or areas with "No U-turns" sign posted. In your life don’t do U-turns or don’t look back. However, you should do self-assessments or re-evaluations. They are useful when you have missed your goals or when you have achieved your targets or when you want to set new ones or when you want to measure your progress.

Right-hand turns are easy but you still need to be cautious

When driving on the city streets in the Greater Toronto Area, right hand turns are relatively easily but as drivers we still need to be cautious. If you plan to turn right, only make your turn when your route is clear of other vehicular and pedestrian traffic. As a cyclist I am always on the lookout for motorists making right hand turns because I am fearful of getting hit especially when I am in the driver’s blind spot. Some decisions that we make in life are relatively easy decisions but we still need to take care when making all decisions and be aware of blind spots or pitfalls.

Left-hand turns are risky, life involves risk

Left hand turns are very risky. They are the hardest especially at busy intersections. Left hand turns can be avoided but at great cost and time. To avoid one left hand turn you would need to make at least four right hand turns. In driving if you plan to turn left, you have to ensure that you position your car close to the center line, or median, before you turn. You should only make your left turn when it is safe. Left turns are riskier but we have to make them anyway. Life is about risks. We cannot go through life avoiding risks. 

There is uncertainty and risks all around us and a key factor for success is that we should identify, assess, monitor and manage risks. For example, I have worked in some truly insecure and unstable countries in terms of physical and health security. Prior to my assignments in countries such as Afghanistan and parts of Africa, I typically take a number of steps to mitigate some the security risks. For example, for health I ensure that my immunization vaccines are up to date. As an entrepreneur I also know a lot about risk and uncertainty. Despite the risk involved I have had a very rich life. One that is full of experiences and memories. To be successful you too have to make difficult left hand turns. You have to confront risks.

What life lessons have you learned from driving?

Mark McKenzie is a leading Subject Matter Expert in financial services regulation and supervision as well as a professional motivational speaker, corporate trainer and youth mentor.  He can be contacted by email mastbmckenzie@gmail.com or by telephone 647-406-4622. Read my blog http://mastbmckenzie.blogspot.ca/ and always write me a comment and share. Follow me on Twitter @mackynacky. Connect with me on www.youtube.com, Google+, Facebook and Linkedin.