In this episode, Jess shares her daily reflections on learning to drive during a week-long intensive course with Kev.

Takeaways from her experience:

• Learning to drive isn't just about passing a test - it's about gaining confidence and driving safely
• Setting achievable goals and staying positive are key to success.
• The importance of learning from mistakes

While listening to this episode, ask yourself:

• Did you relate to Jess’s experience?
• How do you feel when you make mistakes while driving?
• How often do you reflect on your driving to help you set your goals?
• What was your main goal while learning to drive?

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* Do you avoid driving whenever possible? * Do you feel like the only person who is anxious about driving? * Would you like to drive wherever you want, whenever you want? * Are you ready to take action to improve your driving confidence? Follow the prompts, questions, exercises and reflections each week to create your own goal based action plan to work on your driving mindset. Created by Kev & Tracey Field to help anxious drivers take action and track their progress over twelve weeks based on our unique Drive Calm® System, you set your own goals so you can work at your own pace.

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Speaker: 00:00:34

In this episode, Kev, this is the first

of our real life stories for Season 8.

2

: 00:00:41

Yes, our student was Jess, and

she kindly agreed to record some

3

: 00:00:47

reflections as we progress through

our week long driving course.

4

: 00:00:53

It was quite interesting

to see, , how we did.

5

: 00:00:56

So have a listen, , and see

how we got on through the week.

6

: 00:01:00

So good morning Jess.

7

: 00:01:01

Hi Kev.

8

: 00:01:02

This is the beginning of day two but

I thought we could start just a little

9

: 00:01:06

recording of what you were hoping

for from the beginning of day one.

10

: 00:01:12

What were your thoughts?

11

: 00:01:13

So before day one I'd done 10

hours of lessons a year ago and I

12

: 00:01:19

didn't necessarily have the best

relationship with my instructor.

13

: 00:01:22

I really struggled between, I was

doing two hours every Saturday, and

14

: 00:01:28

in between that period I'd just kind

of forget everything I'd learned.

15

: 00:01:31

So I felt like my progress was really

slow, I was really doubting everything

16

: 00:01:35

I did because I felt like I'd

forgotten everything in the meantime.

17

: 00:01:38

So coming into yesterday I was quite

nervous, I didn't really know anything

18

: 00:01:42

and I was worried that The hours that

I put in wouldn't reflect how much I

19

: 00:01:45

actually knew, , and that I'd get into

the car and panic and I was especially

20

: 00:01:50

worried about, you know, getting into

situations like traffic lights and not

21

: 00:01:53

knowing how to pull out everyone in group.

22

: 00:01:56

Like, just basic things.

23

: 00:01:57

Um, the first thing when I got into

the car with Kev yesterday was being

24

: 00:02:00

like, okay, I've written what I think

is the order of how to start the car.

25

: 00:02:04

Can I just double check this is correct?

26

: 00:02:05

And I was just saying, well, spoiler

alert, but I was just saying to Kev

27

: 00:02:08

that this morning I didn't have any

worries about how to start the car.

28

: 00:02:12

I knew after yesterday exactly

what to do in that situation.

29

: 00:02:15

So So how do you think your confidence

has improved from yesterday then?

30

: 00:02:20

, yes, I think my confidence has

improved a lot since yesterday.

31

: 00:02:23

Even throughout the day, you know, when

things went right, I would, as, as Tracy

32

: 00:02:27

has said in the podcast before, kind of

video replay them going, uh, correctly.

33

: 00:02:32

Um, things that I felt less sure of, Kev

and I went through them multiple times,

34

: 00:02:35

so I felt more confident about them.

35

: 00:02:38

I felt a lot calmer within like

the first, like, 15 minutes.

36

: 00:02:42

I never felt rushed at any

point, so that really helped me.

37

: 00:02:45

I feel like I can, I had more

control and at points where I was,

38

: 00:02:49

you know, getting a bit ahead of

myself, Kev would be like, maybe you

39

: 00:02:51

could just go slower on that next.

40

: 00:02:53

Maybe you could just slow down slightly.

41

: 00:02:55

And then I felt like I had more

control, so the periods where in the

42

: 00:02:58

past would have, you know, got in

my head and forgotten everything, I

43

: 00:03:01

never got to that point because I was

always feeling like I was in control.

44

: 00:03:06

Which I suppose is the, the, the

utmost sort of like, target you're

45

: 00:03:11

looking for to be in control, isn't it?

46

: 00:03:14

Yeah, absolutely.

47

: 00:03:14

Like, I'm not, at the end of the

day yesterday you were like, on

48

: 00:03:18

the scale of confidence, like,

where would you say you are?

49

: 00:03:20

One is like a, you wouldn't be

able to get in a car by yourself,

50

: 00:03:22

ten is you're Lewis Hamilton.

51

: 00:03:24

, and, you know, I'm not Lewis Hamilton,

I will never be Lewis Hamilton, but I,

52

: 00:03:28

I know that after the day yesterday I

wouldn't be able to get in a car and

53

: 00:03:32

independently drive, but I, wasn't

worried about anything I'd learn.

54

: 00:03:37

I know that I knew that I had the

potential with time today, tomorrow,

55

: 00:03:41

to get to the point where I felt

more comfortable doing these things.

56

: 00:03:43

They became more like reflexes and

I had time to think about the things

57

: 00:03:47

that I would usually get stressed about

like there's another car coming my way

58

: 00:03:50

and I'm turning right, what do I do?

59

: 00:03:52

So I see the potential now whereas

I was very worried before this

60

: 00:03:56

started that I would just be stuck

in the same mindset throughout.

61

: 00:04:00

So that's pretty cool.

62

: 00:04:01

So let's look forward because I always

like looking forward and the positivity.

63

: 00:04:05

So what would, what's your

thoughts on today then?

64

: 00:04:09

What would you like to happen today?

65

: 00:04:11

Yesterday we tried reversing into, tried,

tried reversing into parking bays and

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: 00:04:17

while, uh, with Kev's guidance I did

get into the parking bays, Most of the

67

: 00:04:21

time, , I was very reliant on you telling

me the wheel possession, , and I was

68

: 00:04:26

getting that was the point where I was

overthinking things, so I think today I

69

: 00:04:29

would like to get to the point where I

can do that a bit more independently, and

70

: 00:04:33

I'm not questioning myself so much, so

I think that's a definitely a practice

71

: 00:04:36

thing because in my previous ten hours,

I did gone into a parking bay once.

72

: 00:04:40

So it was definitely something

I was starting new yesterday.

73

: 00:04:43

, and yeah, maybe parallel parking.

74

: 00:04:45

Yesterday I stalled on a hill

start, , uh, the most extreme

75

: 00:04:49

hill start of the ones we did.

76

: 00:04:51

So maybe I'd like to try that again

and not stall on the first go.

77

: 00:04:54

But again, yesterday when I did

stall, I was like, Kev made sure that

78

: 00:04:58

I was calm and all the situations

were easily rectifiable, even

79

: 00:05:00

when I stalled twice in a row.

80

: 00:05:02

But, um, , yes, it never felt like

the end of the world, you know.

81

: 00:05:06

, so, Hill Starts, sorry, tangent, Hill

Starts is what I'd like to do today

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: 00:05:10

and reversing into parking space.

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: 00:05:14

So again, that sounds like a really

good, because you've got a clear Goal.

84

: 00:05:18

Target.

85

: 00:05:19

Plan.

86

: 00:05:20

So yeah, so let's do another one at

the end of today and see how you feel.

87

: 00:05:24

Cool.

88

: 00:05:25

Brilliant.

89

: 00:05:25

Thank you.

90

: 00:05:30

So, morning Jess.

91

: 00:05:31

Hey Kev.

92

: 00:05:32

, beginning of day three then.

93

: 00:05:34

So, let's have a little

reflect on day two.

94

: 00:05:38

What are your thoughts on day two?

95

: 00:05:40

Uh, day two I felt like

I challenged myself more.

96

: 00:05:44

and you challenged me

more in a positive way.

97

: 00:05:46

you know day one we did a lot of

repetitive routes, uh, which was really

98

: 00:05:50

good for helping build my confidence and

kind of getting to the swing of things.

99

: 00:05:53

Yesterday, we did day two.

100

: 00:05:54

similar routes but took

different turnings each time.

101

: 00:05:57

So we're on familiar roads

but nothing was the same.

102

: 00:06:00

We followed the satnav, we did parallel

parking, which actually on the way to

103

: 00:06:04

my lesson yesterday I listened to your

episode with Tracy where you talked

104

: 00:06:06

about parallel parking and I came to

you being like, oh the one two one

105

: 00:06:10

method sounds interesting, and then

we did that and actually parallel, I

106

: 00:06:13

found parallel parking a lot easier

than I thought I would because of that.

107

: 00:06:17

so yeah, we did parallel parking

yesterday, we did reverse bay

108

: 00:06:20

parking, which was a lot better after

trying parallel parking as well.

109

: 00:06:24

we did big roundabouts, we did

dual carriageways, so we did

110

: 00:06:28

a lot of things that I didn't

think we'd be doing on day two.

111

: 00:06:32

So how's that helped with your

confidence now that you've said

112

: 00:06:36

what we've achieved so far?

113

: 00:06:37

How's your confidence now?

114

: 00:06:39

Yeah, , it's good.

115

: 00:06:40

I mean, I know that I

still have a way to go.

116

: 00:06:42

I don't think I could sit a test tomorrow

and pass, but I , now know that we've

117

: 00:06:45

done kind of the basics of everything.

118

: 00:06:48

So it's now just kind of fine tuning it.

119

: 00:06:50

Realising my weak spots, which are I

need to like, have more control of my

120

: 00:06:54

speed when I'm pulling into junctions and

roundabouts, but that will hopefully come

121

: 00:06:59

with time and my confidence will only

improve over the next couple of days.

122

: 00:07:03

Brilliant.

123

: 00:07:04

And if you're thinking of today,

then I know that we've had a

124

: 00:07:08

little chat before we started this.

125

: 00:07:09

So what have you done to sort

of like prepare for today?

126

: 00:07:14

Um, well I had a good sleep last night.

127

: 00:07:16

That always helps.

128

: 00:07:17

It always helps.

129

: 00:07:19

Um, I think just reviewing the things

I've done already, so I know that I've

130

: 00:07:22

done it, and thought a bit about you

know we, at the end of every day we

131

: 00:07:26

go through notes about what went well

and what I would like to improve on.

132

: 00:07:30

And so kind of refreshing that, knowing

that the areas I'd like to tackle

133

: 00:07:33

today are building my confidence

when coming into junctions, and

134

: 00:07:38

just, yeah, getting more comfortable

with what we've done before already.

135

: 00:07:41

Brilliant.

136

: 00:07:42

And is there anything in particular

that you feel is still missing

137

: 00:07:45

from what we've done so far?

138

: 00:07:48

Um, It's a bit more of a

challenging question though.

139

: 00:07:52

I mean, I'm sure there are lots of

things that I haven't done, like I think,

140

: 00:07:56

hotspots in town centres we haven't

really done as much of because, You

141

: 00:08:00

know, we started on a Sunday and, uh,

yesterday the roads weren't so busy, but

142

: 00:08:04

we did, we, I had a taste of one at the

end of yesterday and I went, it was, I

143

: 00:08:08

think it was a red lights into a mini

roundabout into a mini roundabout into

144

: 00:08:12

a zebra crossing and it all happened

so quickly and I got through it.

145

: 00:08:16

But I immediately went,

I'd like to do that again.

146

: 00:08:18

And it's also quite nice to have

that point of view where I'm having

147

: 00:08:21

challenging situations and not

going, I never want to do that again.

148

: 00:08:24

It's immediately like, I would

like to try that again because I

149

: 00:08:26

know I could be better at that.

150

: 00:08:27

So yeah, I think doing hotspots,

um, refreshing things that

151

: 00:08:32

I was weakest on yesterday.

152

: 00:08:33

I think we said we were going to

try and turn on the radio a little

153

: 00:08:35

bit today because I haven't driven

with any distractions so far.

154

: 00:08:39

I tried to have a conversation with

you about tennis the other day.

155

: 00:08:41

And I, I, I couldn't vocalise what

I was saying so maybe actually,

156

: 00:08:48

um, getting to the point where I'm

not having to focus on everything.

157

: 00:08:51

Obviously I want to maintain focus but

I'm okay with, you know, people talking

158

: 00:08:55

to me because hopefully at one point in

the future I will have passengers and I

159

: 00:08:59

don't want to ignore them for six hours.

160

: 00:09:01

So, yeah.

161

: 00:09:01

That could be fun, couldn't it?

162

: 00:09:03

Ignoring passengers.

163

: 00:09:05

How tempted are you to talk?

164

: 00:09:08

So we're going to have a

bit of singing today then?

165

: 00:09:09

Yeah.

166

: 00:09:10

Kistery, obviously.

167

: 00:09:12

There are other , radio

stations available.

168

: 00:09:13

I've listened to your podcast

before, I know how it works.

169

: 00:09:17

I'm literally going to have some more fun.

170

: 00:09:18

Yeah.

171

: 00:09:19

and then we'll see how it goes and

then wait for the next instalment.

172

: 00:09:22

Yeah.

173

: 00:09:23

Fantastic.

174

: 00:09:26

So, morning Jess.

175

: 00:09:27

Morning Kev.

176

: 00:09:29

Beginning of day four, so let's have a

quick recap again like we normally do.

177

: 00:09:34

So day three, what was

your thoughts on day three?

178

: 00:09:37

Day three was kind of still progressing,

learning more, but also slightly fine

179

: 00:09:44

tuning what I'd learnt the previous day.

180

: 00:09:47

I felt like I made progress

by the end of the day.

181

: 00:09:50

Again, I think as we were driving

back to the station, you went, What

182

: 00:09:54

kind of route do you want back?

183

: 00:09:55

And I said, a challenging one.

184

: 00:09:57

Um, which I'm proud of

myself for saying that.

185

: 00:10:00

I obviously, I didn't nail it.

186

: 00:10:02

but it was still good to have

done that and get more familiar.

187

: 00:10:06

And I'm proud of myself for like pushing

further and being like a challenge

188

: 00:10:09

rather than being like, please take

me all through twenties and really

189

: 00:10:12

nice roads or actually if you could

just get it back in the driving seat.

190

: 00:10:15

Yeah.

191

: 00:10:15

That'd also be nice.

192

: 00:10:19

So thinking of confidence after yesterday.

193

: 00:10:23

Where would you say you are now?

194

: 00:10:25

I'd say on a scale of one to ten.

195

: 00:10:27

I am probably a Six?

196

: 00:10:32

Mainly because, as I just said

to Kev, I had a stress dream

197

: 00:10:34

last night about dinging a car.

198

: 00:10:36

Um, but, uh, yeah, I mean, on the

scale, I don't know if we previously

199

: 00:10:42

said this, the scale of ten is

Lewis Hamilton levels of confidence.

200

: 00:10:46

So I'd say six is actually quite high.

201

: 00:10:49

I think I said I was a four a

couple of days ago, but also before.

202

: 00:10:52

When I said I was a four, we

hadn't done the difficult things.

203

: 00:10:57

, I was a four for like driving

around twenties and thirties.

204

: 00:11:00

Yeah, so I would say a six

is quite good progress.

205

: 00:11:02

I don't think I'll ever be a

person that says I'm a 10, um,

206

: 00:11:05

So, uh, six, I'm happy with six, 6.5.

207

: 00:11:08

Let's say 6.5.

208

: 00:11:10

I love that.

209

: 00:11:10

I love that.

210

: 00:11:11

So if you are thinking what's left,

. Or what are we going to be doing

211

: 00:11:15

that's going to make it a 7 or 7.

212

: 00:11:18

5?

213

: 00:11:20

So yesterday we did lots of things

that I think were challenging,

214

: 00:11:24

, and I would like to feel more

confident doing them specifically.

215

: 00:11:26

So reading road, following road

signs, um, especially when the

216

: 00:11:30

road signs aren't facing the way

that they're supposed to be facing.

217

: 00:11:32

So getting more confident, spotting

them, slowing down, taking them in.

218

: 00:11:36

, we haven't done slip roads

yet, so I'd like to do that.

219

: 00:11:41

Yeah, I think, um, we did a lot of

hotspots as well yesterday, and I

220

: 00:11:46

think I'd like to do them again.

221

: 00:11:48

Specifically challenging was around

the time that kids were leaving school.

222

: 00:11:51

And while I didn't run any children

over, and wasn't close to running

223

: 00:11:54

any children over, I would like

to do that again, to know that I

224

: 00:11:57

will not run any children over.

225

: 00:11:59

and also today, the goal for the

end of the day is to be able to, uh,

226

: 00:12:03

Independent drive in the truest sense,

but I also need to remember, sorry,

227

: 00:12:06

I'm now just going on a I also need to

remember that we've said before that

228

: 00:12:12

even in a driving test no drive is

perfect, like no driving instructor or,

229

: 00:12:17

or examiner has seen a perfect drive.

230

: 00:12:20

You will like, even if you don't

have minors, you know, there

231

: 00:12:22

might be some slight things.

232

: 00:12:23

So I need to remember that even if by the

end of the day, I'm not driving perfectly,

233

: 00:12:28

that doesn't happen in real life.

234

: 00:12:30

And I might make mistakes and

you might have to correct me.

235

: 00:12:32

I'm buzzed.

236

: 00:12:33

Okay.

237

: 00:12:34

Yeah.

238

: 00:12:34

Good.

239

: 00:12:35

So it sounds like we've got a plan.

240

: 00:12:36

It sounds also like that we've made

significant progress over the last

241

: 00:12:42

three days of what we've been doing.

242

: 00:12:45

And getting to day four where you're

going Yeah, that's okay and I'm, you

243

: 00:12:49

know want to be challenged and you know,

now I want to be I just drive on my own.

244

: 00:12:53

Not literally, but Get up!

245

: 00:12:59

So that's the sort of thing we're

going to be working on today.

246

: 00:13:02

Yeah.

247

: 00:13:02

And, um, yeah, hopefully we'll

be able to get towards that goal.

248

: 00:13:07

Yeah.

249

: 00:13:07

Brilliant.

250

: 00:13:08

Thanks Jess.

251

: 00:13:11

So, morning Jess.

252

: 00:13:13

Morning Kev.

253

: 00:13:13

, day five.

254

: 00:13:14

Day five.

255

: 00:13:15

Day five, it seems to have gone so quick.

256

: 00:13:17

It does, yeah.

257

: 00:13:19

But the sun is shining

still, so that's always nice.

258

: 00:13:21

And I've worn black, uh,

it's a sensible decision.

259

: 00:13:26

Me too, funnily enough, I've

just noticed, I've been like,

260

: 00:13:28

oh no, why have I done that?

261

: 00:13:30

Anyway, , so day four, what's

your thoughts on day four?

262

: 00:13:33

Day four, I was quite nervous at the

beginning of the day, as I think I

263

: 00:13:37

probably mentioned in Yesterday's episode.

264

: 00:13:40

Yep.

265

: 00:13:40

Installment.

266

: 00:13:41

that I was independent driving

was the goal but I wasn't sure

267

: 00:13:44

that I was going to get to it.

268

: 00:13:45

And by the end of the day, we did

probably an hour in total worth

269

: 00:13:48

of independent driving, I think.

270

: 00:13:50

In the middle of the day there was a

bit of a hiccup, I nearly, but I didn't.

271

: 00:13:54

But I short circuited and I ran about

when you said, turn right, I thought

272

: 00:13:59

you meant into oncoming traffic.

273

: 00:14:01

, but we didn't turn into

oncoming traffic, positive.

274

: 00:14:04

But after that I kind of

completely forgot how to drive.

275

: 00:14:06

Which in some ways I'm glad it

happened because I'd rather it

276

: 00:14:10

happened now than in the test and

I can kind of learn to stay calm.

277

: 00:14:12

And I also know that I didn't turn

into oncoming traffic and I've heard

278

: 00:14:15

from other people who have since.

279

: 00:14:17

, so, you know, and then afterwards

things went a lot more smoothly.

280

: 00:14:20

When we did the, um, Independent driving.

281

: 00:14:23

That was really great to kind of see

that I could, I did know what was

282

: 00:14:26

going on because I do come to you for

reassurance being like, is it a 20?

283

: 00:14:29

And you were like, yes.

284

: 00:14:30

So instead of asking those questions,

I just trusted my judgment.

285

: 00:14:33

so that was great.

286

: 00:14:34

at the end of the day, you asked

me a question during driving,

287

: 00:14:36

like a conversational question.

288

: 00:14:37

And again, I just realized

I can't multitask.

289

: 00:14:39

So again, that was a

good learning experience.

290

: 00:14:41

So when the test, when they start

asking me questions, I should

291

: 00:14:44

answer with one word answers.

292

: 00:14:45

Rather than trying to.

293

: 00:14:48

explain the full story.

294

: 00:14:49

But yeah, it was good in

a really long tangent way.

295

: 00:14:51

That was, it was good.

296

: 00:14:52

It was a good day.

297

: 00:14:53

Yeah.

298

: 00:14:54

And sometimes that happens, you

know, this is, I suppose, the way

299

: 00:14:57

I'm teaching is not really to pass a

test almost, although it is because

300

: 00:15:01

that's part of what we're doing.

301

: 00:15:02

Yeah.

302

: 00:15:03

But also giving you those skills to

think about, you know, what would

303

: 00:15:06

happen if I was having a conversation

while I was driving and, or the phone

304

: 00:15:11

rang, you know, what would I do?

305

: 00:15:13

Decline that call, it's illegal to

use a phone while you're driving,

306

: 00:15:17

unless it's, you know, hands free,

but that sounds terrifying to me,

307

: 00:15:19

I don't want to do that, thank you.

308

: 00:15:21

So that is sort of these,

these experiences, isn't it?

309

: 00:15:24

And I think we need to not just

really think of, you know, Driving

310

: 00:15:28

is the skill, but what happens,

, when your emotions come into it?

311

: 00:15:32

It's like, what are they calling me?

312

: 00:15:33

What's going on?

313

: 00:15:34

What's, what's happening?

314

: 00:15:35

Who would I invite for that dinner?

315

: 00:15:38

My answer was Jessica Mitford, and

it's really hard to explain who Jessica

316

: 00:15:40

Mitford is while you're facing too

many roundabouts in a zebra crossing.

317

: 00:15:43

Just don't, don't do it.

318

: 00:15:45

Um, go for someone like, easier.

319

: 00:15:48

I don't know.

320

: 00:15:49

I can't think of anyone else.

321

: 00:15:51

I was just about to say

that, I better not say that.

322

: 00:15:53

We'll be here for a while.

323

: 00:15:56

So confidence wise, what would you

say your confidence is like now?

324

: 00:16:01

Alright, yesterday was at 6.

325

: 00:16:02

5 which feels like it was a little

bit premature for being a 6.

326

: 00:16:06

5 now in reflection.

327

: 00:16:08

I would say, okay, I'm gonna say a 7.

328

: 00:16:14

25.

329

: 00:16:15

I know it doesn't seem

like a huge increase.

330

: 00:16:18

But as I say, 10 is Lewis Hamilton,

so I'm never going to get to there.

331

: 00:16:21

Um, but in my mind it feels like I

made a lot of progress and maybe 6.

332

: 00:16:27

5 yesterday was a little bit too like

Except that I'm happy with the 7.

333

: 00:16:30

5.

334

: 00:16:30

Ideally on test day I would like to

be at like an 8, because I still know

335

: 00:16:34

that things can go wrong and I've only

been driving really for four days.

336

: 00:16:39

So I really feel like anything

higher would just be a

337

: 00:16:43

little bit too narcissistic.

338

: 00:16:45

So what are you hoping for for today?

339

: 00:16:47

I'm more into independent driving, I want

to do the things I have struggled with.

340

: 00:16:50

So there's a thing that I've been

calling the Triangle of Doom, which

341

: 00:16:52

I know is not its actual name.

342

: 00:16:54

It's just a junction that goes into

another road and you have to go slow your

343

: 00:16:59

speed from quite fast to basically fast

and it's kind of around a blind bend.

344

: 00:17:04

So I'd like to do that again, , well I

wouldn't really, but I probably should,

345

: 00:17:07

just get more, do parking a couple more

times, just to get, , So basically the

346

: 00:17:12

first time Kevin and I did Parallel

Parking I kind of aced it, , and I

347

: 00:17:15

feel like that might have been a fluke.

348

: 00:17:17

So I just want to make sure it wasn't a

fluke, and that I actually can do that.

349

: 00:17:20

, I yesterday just missed every

other parking bay that I tried

350

: 00:17:22

so I'd like to do those again.

351

: 00:17:24

knowing that I can do them yesterday

was just a bit too much for me.

352

: 00:17:27

fast.

353

: 00:17:28

and yeah, I think just

more independent driving.

354

: 00:17:32

, That, that's kind of my goal.

355

: 00:17:34

Oh, and a mock test.

356

: 00:17:35

I think I'm on a mock test.

357

: 00:17:35

Oh, and show me, tell me questions and

show me, tell me questions so much.

358

: 00:17:42

But it's going to be good cause we're

split up cause the sunshine, it's

359

: 00:17:44

always nice to get out of the car.

360

: 00:17:45

And again, history of the radio

stations are available, but Marvin

361

: 00:17:48

Humes is really nailing it this week.

362

: 00:17:51

Well done Marvin.

363

: 00:17:52

I'm sure he's going to be very pleased

to be mentioned on our podcast.

364

: 00:17:55

Yeah, I'm all at him.

365

: 00:17:58

He helps with the driving.

366

: 00:17:59

He does, yeah.

367

: 00:17:59

He doesn't realise it,

but he's helping us.

368

: 00:18:02

So, let's go and have some fun.

369

: 00:18:03

Yeah.

370

: 00:18:04

Let's see where we are

at the end of day five.

371

: 00:18:06

Mm hmm.

372

: 00:18:06

and then we'll go from there.

373

: 00:18:08

I hope it's not like, In tears.

374

: 00:18:11

Our aim is not to cry today.

375

: 00:18:12

Our aim is not to cry.

376

: 00:18:13

No tears have been shed thus far.

377

: 00:18:15

Unless they're tears of joy.

378

: 00:18:16

Yeah, which, let's hope

for those on Friday.

379

: 00:18:20

Fantastic.

380

: 00:18:22

So, morning Jess.

381

: 00:18:24

Morning Kev.

382

: 00:18:25

Day 6 seems to have flown by to us.

383

: 00:18:28

Oh yeah.

384

: 00:18:29

, as always, what I'm going to get

you to do is just reflect back

385

: 00:18:32

on day 5 and just tell me your

thoughts and feelings on day 5.

386

: 00:18:36

Day 5.

387

: 00:18:37

Okie dokie.

388

: 00:18:38

, right.

389

: 00:18:38

Day 5, at the beginning

of the day, smooth.

390

: 00:18:40

I was independent driving, was making

very like small minor mistakes that

391

: 00:18:45

were easily corrected that I spotted

straight away and would correct,

392

: 00:18:47

you know, I was feeling good.

393

: 00:18:49

And then in the afternoon we did a

mock test and I immediately stalled

394

: 00:18:53

on a hill start multiple times to the

point that it would have been a major.

395

: 00:18:56

And then after that I panicked and

I got three majors and seven minors.

396

: 00:19:02

so, but it was a test and we're glad

that it happened because we don't

397

: 00:19:06

want to go into today too cocky.

398

: 00:19:08

I also got some gnarly sunburn, and I

think I blame it on the jeans yesterday,

399

: 00:19:12

but I blamed it on the jeans to Kev, I

was wearing very tight jeans and it did

400

: 00:19:14

not make for a good it was really hot.

401

: 00:19:16

But I'm blaming everyone else but

myself, I was really tired, you know,

402

: 00:19:19

the sun was shining, the tunes weren't

as good on Kisterine, no offence Marvin.

403

: 00:19:23

no, but uh, it was good that

that happened, because I

404

: 00:19:27

know what to focus on now.

405

: 00:19:29

I realized that I just need to stay calm.

406

: 00:19:31

but I reflect on the morning.

407

: 00:19:33

The morning was great.

408

: 00:19:34

I did good things on the morning

and if the test went on the morning

409

: 00:19:36

then maybe I would have passed.

410

: 00:19:37

And I think that's a really

valid point isn't it?

411

: 00:19:41

There's loads of points there.

412

: 00:19:43

Where do we start?

413

: 00:19:43

Junes.

414

: 00:19:46

The heat.

415

: 00:19:47

The heat.

416

: 00:19:48

The heat.

417

: 00:19:49

Oh, and I also refused to put on the

air con because I was kind of scared

418

: 00:19:52

that it would need a little more gas

and, higher biting points, so I left

419

: 00:19:56

the windows open all day, and then at

one point during the mock test, I closed

420

: 00:19:59

them because I was going really fast, but

then I was too scared to put the air con

421

: 00:20:02

on, and so we, it just became a sauna.

422

: 00:20:07

It's good for our weight

loss though, we did do that.

423

: 00:20:10

I forgot to wear the

shell suit today, dammit.

424

: 00:20:11

So, I've lost my train of thought now

thinking of shell suits and saunas.

425

: 00:20:20

So, if you're thinking, we'll

go back to that confidence.

426

: 00:20:24

You said yesterday morning it

was really good, you know, just a

427

: 00:20:27

couple of minor mistakes, wasn't it?

428

: 00:20:29

how does that make you

feel saying that now?

429

: 00:20:32

Yeah, alright, I think I just need

to, I've seen where panic gets

430

: 00:20:35

me, and it's not, it's not good.

431

: 00:20:37

So I think I just need to

remember to breathe, go slowly,

432

: 00:20:40

once I start the test today.

433

: 00:20:42

and also knowing that if I make a major

mistake at the beginning, it doesn't mean

434

: 00:20:47

the rest of the test is out the window.

435

: 00:20:48

I can still do well.

436

: 00:20:49

Obviously I won't pass, but

passing isn't the end goal.

437

: 00:20:52

Being a confident and capable

and calm driver is the end goal.

438

: 00:20:56

So, As long as I can bring it back to

that, and then, and also if I do fail

439

: 00:21:00

today with three, three majors and

seven minors, again, I know, I've only

440

: 00:21:03

been driving really since Sunday, so

I should be proud of that, and, you

441

: 00:21:09

know, I can always do more lessons.

442

: 00:21:10

So, but, yeah.

443

: 00:21:12

That's a positive aspect, isn't it?

444

: 00:21:15

It's not really about a test.

445

: 00:21:17

The test allows you to do

whatever you want it to do.

446

: 00:21:20

But it's more about

being a confident driver.

447

: 00:21:22

And I'm going to use that

word you used earlier, smooth.

448

: 00:21:27

And if we can be smooth, Nine

times out of ten it's safe.

449

: 00:21:31

Yes, um, yeah, on the whole, not

in the test situation, I have been

450

: 00:21:35

smooth and that is what I wanted.

451

: 00:21:37

I wanted to be, you know, and I am, I

have made so much progress since Sunday

452

: 00:21:42

that, um, I can't really discount that

just because I might for 35 minutes

453

: 00:21:47

completely forget everything, um, but.

454

: 00:21:49

You know, but I know that I know it.

455

: 00:21:51

The thing is, I know that I know it.

456

: 00:21:52

I was like, watching videos last night,

and I wasn't learning anything new.

457

: 00:21:55

Like, I knew all of it.

458

: 00:21:57

Like, I don't know why I was

watching videos, because they

459

: 00:22:00

weren't helping me really any.

460

: 00:22:01

Um, because I knew everything.

461

: 00:22:02

I mean, I was just watching

them going, okay, I would break

462

: 00:22:05

now, and I would change it now.

463

: 00:22:06

, yeah, um, but, you know, that also helped

me realise that I did know everything.

464

: 00:22:10

I just need to, you know,

Try and remember everything.

465

: 00:22:13

Brilliant.

466

: 00:22:14

So, the sun is shining.

467

: 00:22:15

So much.

468

: 00:22:16

We've got the aircon on.

469

: 00:22:17

The car is lying.

470

: 00:22:18

It says it's 21 degrees.

471

: 00:22:19

It is 26 degrees outside.

472

: 00:22:23

And we're just about to put the music on.

473

: 00:22:24

We are.

474

: 00:22:25

And then we're going to

have a nice smooth drive.

475

: 00:22:26

Yes.

476

: 00:22:27

And we'll talk again later on.

477

: 00:22:29

Yep.

478

: 00:22:29

Eurgh.

479

: 00:22:32

So, we are now at the end of our

course of lessons, I suppose,

480

: 00:22:38

when it ended with the test.

481

: 00:22:40

So, before we talk much more,

I just want to ask a question.

482

: 00:22:45

So, how confident are you now,

Jess, would you say, compared

483

: 00:22:51

to where you started the week?

484

: 00:22:54

Well, Kev, I could take on Lewis Hamilton.

485

: 00:22:56

No, I couldn't.

486

: 00:22:57

, but I am confident.

487

: 00:22:58

miles more confident.

488

: 00:23:00

yeah, I mean, I think I, on the first,

at the end of the first day, I think I

489

: 00:23:03

said I was like a four, then I, at one

25, and now I'd say about like a nine.

490

: 00:23:14

Yeah, not like, again, Lewis Hamilton

is the broader, let's say, yeah, 8.

491

: 00:23:18

59, yeah, because everyone

can be a better driver.

492

: 00:23:22

Everyone can always improve.

493

: 00:23:24

Which is a lovely saying, isn't it?

494

: 00:23:26

and practice makes better.

495

: 00:23:27

Yes, indeed practice makes

better, not perfect, better.

496

: 00:23:29

So, what would you say your

key moments have been during

497

: 00:23:33

this week then, would you say?

498

: 00:23:35

I think it's been equally important

to make progress as to mess up.

499

: 00:23:40

So, I think I've, I've I am a negative

person, I remember all the negatives,

500

: 00:23:44

but listening to Kev and Tracey's podcast

previously, you know, Tracey talked

501

: 00:23:48

about the video, the movie screen video

method where you remember the positives

502

: 00:23:52

and you replay them in your mind so you

feel more confident doing that, and I

503

: 00:23:56

think Kev and I did manoeuvres that I

wasn't so confident with to the point

504

: 00:24:00

that I was then so confident that I had

those memories that I can play back,

505

: 00:24:02

so it was important for me not to be

able to do them so I could get to the

506

: 00:24:05

point that I could then do them, and

also when I Manoeuvres went wrong, I

507

: 00:24:09

know how to correct them and be able to

replay those memories in my head as well.

508

: 00:24:12

Knowing that, and I got to the point

where, at the end of it, I knew that

509

: 00:24:17

I knew everything I needed to know.

510

: 00:24:18

It was just a case of going to the test

and if something went wrong in the test,

511

: 00:24:22

it wasn't because I was a bad driver.

512

: 00:24:23

It was because I just,

the nerves got to me.

513

: 00:24:27

It wasn't because I just didn't

have the information, I had

514

: 00:24:29

all the information I needed.

515

: 00:24:31

So, would you say now that

you are A better driver?

516

: 00:24:36

Oh, then on Sunday when I couldn't,

I was, I asked you how to start the

517

: 00:24:41

car because I couldn't remember.

518

: 00:24:42

Yeah, I would say, yeah, I

would say as a better driver.

519

: 00:24:45

And how would you say this,

this course has helped you?

520

: 00:24:49

I'm going to say not just in

driving as well, but what do you

521

: 00:24:52

think you've learned from it?

522

: 00:24:53

Oh, massively, like I think, you

know, it's very good at, one of the

523

: 00:24:56

key lessons we've had over the past

couple of days is, Slow down when

524

: 00:25:00

you're about to come at a junction.

525

: 00:25:03

It applies to slow down when you're about

to deal with something really stressful.

526

: 00:25:06

You can't, you can't turn around a

roundabout with your accelerator.

527

: 00:25:10

And you can, but it's not best.

528

: 00:25:12

You're not going to feel in

control of the situation.

529

: 00:25:14

Like slow down, look around at others,

make sure everyone else is okay.

530

: 00:25:19

It's a, it's a valuable lesson for life.

531

: 00:25:23

So, let's, let's fast forward today then.

532

: 00:25:25

And we had our test.

533

: 00:25:27

Yeah.

534

: 00:25:28

Or should I say, we had your test.

535

: 00:25:29

Not my test, it was your test.

536

: 00:25:31

And how did you feel beforehand?

537

: 00:25:34

I was nervous, but, so my test was at 11.

538

: 00:25:36

01.

539

: 00:25:37

I got to Kev just before nine.

540

: 00:25:40

We had a little bit of a drive.

541

: 00:25:42

Which was all relatively independent roads

that we were familiar with which really

542

: 00:25:46

eased my any nerves I was feeling this

morning I was actually okay this morning.

543

: 00:25:49

I was more nervous last night as we

got closer and closer to the test

544

: 00:25:52

So we practiced some maneuvers.

545

: 00:25:53

We went for we went for well, we went

for a coffee beforehand Which was

546

: 00:25:56

again our routine that we've been

doing all this week Again, wouldn't

547

: 00:26:00

change my order because I thought it

was bad karma But I don't know maybe a

548

: 00:26:03

food poisoning with a coffee But that

helped with the routine settled down

549

: 00:26:07

wasn't just driving consistently for

like two hours before my test You Then

550

: 00:26:11

we went and did some manoeuvres just

beforehand, and we got there in good time.

551

: 00:26:14

And when we got there, I wasn't as

nervous as I thought I was going to be.

552

: 00:26:18

I was still a little bit nervous, but,

I think you would be in that situation.

553

: 00:26:21

But I was generally, you know, we'd

done this morning, and this morning

554

: 00:26:24

I hadn't made loads of mistakes.

555

: 00:26:26

And even if I had,

apparently that's normal.

556

: 00:26:28

So, um, yeah, no, I felt,

longwind dancer, nervous, but

557

: 00:26:33

on the whole manageable nerves.

558

: 00:26:34

Um, yeah.

559

: 00:26:36

That's a lovely, that's lovely.

560

: 00:26:37

Manageable nerves.

561

: 00:26:38

You could manage them.

562

: 00:26:39

Yeah, I could tell them to pipe down.

563

: 00:26:41

Hehehehehehe It starts like that.

564

: 00:26:44

So, how about in the test then?

565

: 00:26:48

What was, what's your

thoughts of the test itself?

566

: 00:26:52

The test itself, it went by really quickly

until the last ten minutes where I knew

567

: 00:26:56

it was going to be the last ten minutes

and then it felt like it went on forever.

568

: 00:26:59

it was, I was expecting To not to be

able to chat at all because I just freak

569

: 00:27:05

out, but we had a little, little natter.

570

: 00:27:07

My, at the beginning of this week, I

was like, Oh, you know, examiners to

571

: 00:27:10

kind of just want to trip you up, not

trip you up, but they want to like,

572

: 00:27:14

they're so aware that things might go

wrong and they're not going to react

573

: 00:27:17

to those in a, in a positive way.

574

: 00:27:21

And you know what, like Tracy,

who was my examiner, put my mind

575

: 00:27:24

at ease kind of straight away.

576

: 00:27:25

You know, she was chatty to me, but also.

577

: 00:27:27

She was just kind, obviously.

578

: 00:27:30

and, at points where I did

mess up, she wasn't going, she

579

: 00:27:34

was like, very understanding.

580

: 00:27:36

It was more me beating myself up

than her getting her iPad out and

581

: 00:27:39

ticking off a bad thing straight away.

582

: 00:27:42

If she did tick off bad things, which

she, spoiler alert, did do, she did it

583

: 00:27:45

very subtly and I really didn't notice.

584

: 00:27:47

At one point I clocked it and I was

like, you know what, that happened.

585

: 00:27:49

I don't know if it's a major, I don't know

if it's a minor, but I'm gonna move on.

586

: 00:27:51

Um, So I suppose we better

tell everyone, the result.

587

: 00:27:56

We've kept it a little

bit back till the end.

588

: 00:27:59

So this is what this week

has been all about really.

589

: 00:28:02

Not so much a test, but building

confidence and be able to get to

590

: 00:28:07

a point where someone says that

you can drive on your own or

591

: 00:28:11

that you need some more lessons.

592

: 00:28:13

So, what was the result of the test?

593

: 00:28:15

I passed!

594

: 00:28:16

Yeah!

595

: 00:28:17

Um, I passed.

596

: 00:28:18

Sorry, I could have done that

in a more dramatic drum roll.

597

: 00:28:21

Um, yeah, I passed, I passed.

598

: 00:28:22

I haven't actually looked

at how many minors I got.

599

: 00:28:24

I think I got around four or five.

600

: 00:28:26

but I clocked when they were happening.

601

: 00:28:28

You know, I, I stalled, which is annoying

because I haven't been stalling, but

602

: 00:28:32

that was just the pressure environment.

603

: 00:28:33

I think my nerves crept up

the longer I did the test.

604

: 00:28:36

and the examiner herself did comment

the fact that I was quite nervous.

605

: 00:28:38

It might be my giant sweat

patches, that kind of gave it away.

606

: 00:28:41

I don't know.

607

: 00:28:42

But, on the whole, I wasn't as nervous

as I thought it was going to be.

608

: 00:28:44

It went far better than

the mock yesterday.

609

: 00:28:47

Um, so yeah, no, it was really

positive and I did do a little happy

610

: 00:28:50

dance when I passed at the end, so.

611

: 00:28:52

So, if, this is the ultimate question

before we're going to leave this one.

612

: 00:28:57

Do you feel confident now, if you

had a car in Leyton Buzzard, Yeah.

613

: 00:29:02

that you could get in that

car and drive somewhere Yeah.

614

: 00:29:07

Yeah, yeah, yeah, if, I mean, as I

said to Kev earlier, I mean, I live in

615

: 00:29:10

London, and I, the roads are slightly,

they're not different, but in my mind

616

: 00:29:17

they're slightly different, so I think,

I would feel fine driving in London,

617

: 00:29:21

I think I'd just like to have someone

in the car with me just the first time

618

: 00:29:24

I do it, but in Nathan Buzzard, yeah,

I'm, I could drive by myself, although

619

: 00:29:28

Kev's company is great, so, you know.

620

: 00:29:31

Um, yeah, and I could drive

by myself in Lake and Buzzard.

621

: 00:29:32

I can drive by myself in London.

622

: 00:29:34

I actually think I'd feel more

comfortable maybe somewhere outside

623

: 00:29:37

London because I've now done country

roads, I've done higher speeds.

624

: 00:29:39

people drive more horribly

in London and there are more

625

: 00:29:43

hazards, but I'm aware of them.

626

: 00:29:44

It's not like I wouldn't be able to drive.

627

: 00:29:46

So I just need to now tell myself

that I can drive wherever I am.

628

: 00:29:50

Fantastic.

629

: 00:29:50

And remember, you've always

got Marvin on history as well.

630

: 00:29:52

Yeah, exactly, exactly.

631

: 00:29:53

He, uh, yeah, he was playing

some bops during a test actually.

632

: 00:29:56

He was on earlier than I

thought, and the stars aligned.

633

: 00:29:59

yeah.

634

: 00:29:59

He came out for your test for you.

635

: 00:30:01

He did.

636

: 00:30:01

Thank you, Marvin.

637

: 00:30:03

So, congratulations, Jess.

638

: 00:30:05

Thank you so much for a great week.

639

: 00:30:08

I've really enjoyed it.

640

: 00:30:09

And, , enjoy your freedom.

641

: 00:30:12

Thanks.

642

: 00:30:12

Yeah, thanks so much.

643

: 00:30:13

I've really enjoyed this week.

644

: 00:30:15

Circuit.

645

: 00:30:16

I, for one, really enjoyed listening

to your daily reflections and putting

646

: 00:30:23

them together into a podcast episode.

647

: 00:30:25

So I really hope all our

listeners enjoyed that as well.

648

: 00:30:29

Because for me, I felt that that

gave a really interesting insight

649

: 00:30:35

into the thoughts and feelings

of somebody learning to drive.

650

: 00:30:40

It was almost like

being a fly on the wall.

651

: 00:30:43

It was.

652

: 00:30:44

I mean, it's only really.

653

: 00:30:47

four or five minutes of the whole day.

654

: 00:30:50

which really doesn't bear justice

to what we were doing, but it

655

: 00:30:54

does give you an insight into

what was happening so yeah, that.

656

: 00:30:58

I love the week totally

different to what I normally do.

657

: 00:31:02

But again, just being able to give

my time to to Jess as well, because I

658

: 00:31:08

wasn't really doing much else that week.

659

: 00:31:10

And the sun was shining.

660

: 00:31:11

Looking back, the week was great for

me, and I really, really enjoyed it.

661

: 00:31:17

We had highs, we had

lows, but that's normal.

662

: 00:31:22

I love doing what I do.

663

: 00:31:23

but there is always highs and lows.

664

: 00:31:25

And if you're doing a hobby or

you're into sports or whatever it is,

665

: 00:31:29

there's going to be highs and lows.

666

: 00:31:31

It's part of the learning

journey, isn't it?

667

: 00:31:33

When you're learning any new skill.

668

: 00:31:35

But this is, this is like, it's normal.

669

: 00:31:37

If you can normalize that, I think

it makes it easier to move forward.

670

: 00:31:43

I think if you can do it in a positive

way, there is no failures, really.

671

: 00:31:48

They're just learning opportunities.

672

: 00:31:50

We're in a controlled environment.

673

: 00:31:52

And what I mean by that is, um,

We are allowed to make mistakes.

674

: 00:31:58

My students are allowed to make mistakes.

675

: 00:32:00

I will risk manage the situation

so they can learn best.

676

: 00:32:05

You know, I'm still making

sure we don't crash.

677

: 00:32:07

I still make sure, you know, people are

around us are aware of what we're doing.

678

: 00:32:12

But that gives the learner

that opportunity to concentrate

679

: 00:32:16

on what they want to work on.

680

: 00:32:19

It's working on.

681

: 00:32:22

What do they need to learn?

682

: 00:32:24

What do they want to learn?

683

: 00:32:26

And I think if you can bring those

into, you know, what you do in, I think

684

: 00:32:32

it was mentioned as well, everyday

life, you know, this is driving and

685

: 00:32:36

with driving in particular is what we

do, but that was what we were working

686

: 00:32:41

on all the way through the week.

687

: 00:32:43

It's not just driving.

688

: 00:32:44

It's how we feel, you know, if

you had a bad day that, you know,

689

: 00:32:49

how do we then get into a car?

690

: 00:32:51

Yeah, what is going to be the, the

outcome of getting into the car,

691

: 00:32:56

feeling tired or whatever it may be.

692

: 00:32:59

So, yeah, I've learned loads.

693

: 00:33:01

it was really interesting doing the

reflection like we did for this podcast,

694

: 00:33:05

but also it encouraged me to reflect

a little bit more on what we're doing.

695

: 00:33:10

Yeah, and it sounds as if Jess copes

really well with those highs and lows,

696

: 00:33:14

the ups and downs as well, and there

was a bit where she mentioned that

697

: 00:33:18

she'd almost surprised herself where

something maybe hadn't gone quite

698

: 00:33:23

so well, but instead of thinking,

Oh, I don't want to do that again.

699

: 00:33:27

She was up for challenging herself

and going, I found that tough.

700

: 00:33:32

Let me do it again.

701

: 00:33:33

I think I can do it better.

702

: 00:33:35

And that's a great approach, isn't it?

703

: 00:33:37

That's a great approach to

come to learning new things.

704

: 00:33:41

You're not always going to

get it right first time.

705

: 00:33:44

No, but I think if you realize you've

got the skills to be able to do it.

706

: 00:33:49

And I know Jess mentioned that

she understood what she was doing

707

: 00:33:53

and she knew how to do something.

708

: 00:33:56

So the skills were there,

the understanding was there.

709

: 00:33:59

Maybe the situation was more challenging.

710

: 00:34:01

Maybe there were more cars.

711

: 00:34:02

Maybe there were tighter junctions

or the vision was blocked.

712

: 00:34:08

You know, there was lots

of different things.

713

: 00:34:10

But recognizing, okay, I need to

do this, you know, and especially

714

: 00:34:15

when she went home, she put a lot

of effort into, you know, watching

715

: 00:34:19

videos and how do we do this?

716

: 00:34:21

How do we do that?

717

: 00:34:22

And at the end of the week, she was

actually saying, I'm watching this for

718

: 00:34:26

the sake of it because I know what to do.

719

: 00:34:28

Yeah.

720

: 00:34:28

I think that's a really important point

for listeners to pick up on if they didn't

721

: 00:34:35

throughout , listening to the reflections,

because it was clear that Jess wasn't

722

: 00:34:40

just showing up for the drive in.

723

: 00:34:43

She was also looking at things

outside of the drive in.

724

: 00:34:47

She was listening to our podcast.

725

: 00:34:49

So she, she, she exhausted, she

mentioned the podcast and different

726

: 00:34:54

things that we'd said several times.

727

: 00:34:56

So it was clear that she was

using the podcast as a resource.

728

: 00:35:00

And she was also using other

resources that are out there.

729

: 00:35:03

So videos and information so that

she was constantly filling in those.

730

: 00:35:10

gaps in knowledge.

731

: 00:35:11

So she really worked

hard during that week.

732

: 00:35:14

She, she focused on it.

733

: 00:35:16

It was a proper project.

734

: 00:35:19

This was what she was

focusing on for the week.

735

: 00:35:22

She treated it like a work project

and rather than just showing up

736

: 00:35:26

during the hours and expecting

things to just drop into place.

737

: 00:35:31

Instead, it's She put the work in.

738

: 00:35:33

Yeah.

739

: 00:35:33

And I think having just bite sized

goals, you know, we did loads of bite

740

: 00:35:38

sized goals during the week, which made

it easier to actually formulate a plan.

741

: 00:35:44

Yeah.

742

: 00:35:45

You know, if you've got a

massive goal, it's like, well,

743

: 00:35:47

I'm never going to get there.

744

: 00:35:48

And you've already started to think,

well, this is, I'm not going to do that.

745

: 00:35:52

So just having bite sized

goals, try new things.

746

: 00:35:56

Coffee breaks, you know, we loved

our little coffee breaks where we

747

: 00:36:00

could step away from the car, still

talk about driving potentially,

748

: 00:36:05

um, but he didn't have the, the

actual drive inside of it there.

749

: 00:36:10

So, you know, even though we

was having lunch or whatever

750

: 00:36:13

he was doing, it made it.

751

: 00:36:15

more easier to understand and

you can build on your knowledge.

752

: 00:36:19

Yeah.

753

: 00:36:20

And we, we talk about bite

sized goals all the time.

754

: 00:36:23

And when you were doing your

reflection, you were starting off

755

: 00:36:27

with what's the goal for today?

756

: 00:36:29

Well, that's part of it, you know,

I think this little bit at the

757

: 00:36:31

beginning is what I normally do in

lessons anyway, but Actually recording

758

: 00:36:36

it, it was like, Oh yeah, because

you're saying it out loud as well.

759

: 00:36:40

And I think sometimes, you know, if

you're listening to this and you're

760

: 00:36:43

off, you know, you're a driver,

you're a full license holder.

761

: 00:36:46

Sometimes we take driving for granted.

762

: 00:36:48

Yeah.

763

: 00:36:48

And I think, again, one of the

positives that I took away from

764

: 00:36:52

this is, we can all reflect.

765

: 00:36:54

I reflected,

766

: 00:36:55

and it was like, okay,

how am I doing this?

767

: 00:36:57

What am I going to do?

768

: 00:36:58

What's, what's the end goal?

769

: 00:36:59

So how can I get there?

770

: 00:37:00

What are those steps that we need to take?

771

: 00:37:03

And obviously, Jess reached her

goal and how amazing is that?

772

: 00:37:08

Yeah, fantastic.

773

: 00:37:09

And that reflection, it's an

important part of a learning process.

774

: 00:37:14

It's an important part of practice.

775

: 00:37:16

Problem solving.

776

: 00:37:17

So it is, it has a real place in

when, whenever you're learning new

777

: 00:37:22

things or trying to problem solve,

taking time to reflect is when

778

: 00:37:28

your brain processes information.

779

: 00:37:31

So it's really important.

780

: 00:37:32

And yeah, I mean, how amazing, but it was

interesting to listen that while obviously

781

: 00:37:39

passing the driving test was the.

782

: 00:37:41

Ultimate goal.

783

: 00:37:43

Jess also clearly recognized that

the most important goal was that

784

: 00:37:47

she'd made progress and that she'd

learned to be able to drive safely.

785

: 00:37:53

and that that information

and knowledge is important.

786

: 00:37:56

would take her forward, even if

she hadn't passed her driving test.

787

: 00:38:01

Yeah, the test wasn't really important.

788

: 00:38:03

It was there.

789

: 00:38:04

It was a goal to get towards, but noticing

how you drive, noticing what you do, and

790

: 00:38:12

it was really just another instructor

sitting next to her for 40 minutes.

791

: 00:38:17

So that's literally what was happening.

792

: 00:38:19

Yeah.

793

: 00:38:19

And she had that mindset where

it was, I'm just going to drive.

794

: 00:38:23

Yeah.

795

: 00:38:23

And I loved, she wanted

to drive independently.

796

: 00:38:26

She'd, we'd, we'd, we've mentioned

it so often in the podcast.

797

: 00:38:30

She knew that that was a much

clearer goal was, is she able

798

: 00:38:36

to carry out this driving?

799

: 00:38:38

Independently making her own decisions,

understanding what she's doing and why.

800

: 00:38:44

Because the test is

just the in between bit.

801

: 00:38:48

It's just the transition, isn't it?

802

: 00:38:50

Because you need to be able to

drive after you've passed your test.

803

: 00:38:55

And as a follow up, Jess was

driving that evening, wasn't she?

804

: 00:39:01

She went home, got into her

car, , she went off driving.

805

: 00:39:05

Yeah.

806

: 00:39:05

So fantastic.

807

: 00:39:07

And again, it's examiners are humans,

you know, they're just there to assess

808

: 00:39:12

whether or not you can drive safely.

809

: 00:39:15

Yeah.

810

: 00:39:15

And that again is something that

I think people tend to forget.

811

: 00:39:21

It's just showing someone

that you can drive safely.

812

: 00:39:24

So that evening, Jess went home and

showed her husband, that she can drive.

813

: 00:39:30

Yep.

814

: 00:39:31

So that's great.

815

: 00:39:32

I thought, you know, for me,

that's the ultimate goal.

816

: 00:39:35

Yeah, and it was fantastic

to get those messages from

817

: 00:39:38

her, wasn't it, that evening.

818

: 00:39:39

So, and it sounds like

you had a lot of fun.

819

: 00:39:41

fun as well.

820

: 00:39:42

This sun came up a lot as a

theme through these reflections.

821

: 00:39:46

I think, I think that's that

learning environment, isn't it?

822

: 00:39:48

You know, if you're there dreading

what you're going to be doing and

823

: 00:39:51

you've got pressure on yourself,

it's not going to be fun.

824

: 00:39:55

Um, we had so much fun.

825

: 00:39:57

We had, you know, we made things fun.

826

: 00:40:00

We made things easier for us.

827

: 00:40:02

Because you're sitting in

a car for six hours a day.

828

: 00:40:05

Yeah.

829

: 00:40:05

You know, that's tiring in itself.

830

: 00:40:07

So trying to make a little bit of fun and

make driving fun, you know, and enjoy it.

831

: 00:40:13

Yeah.

832

: 00:40:14

Lovely.

833

: 00:40:15

And I suppose really one of

the final things to look at

834

: 00:40:17

is, is this for everybody?

835

: 00:40:19

Do we recommend doing this type

of intensive course for everyone?

836

: 00:40:25

And I think it comes back to

that one size doesn't fit all

837

: 00:40:28

message that we often look across.

838

: 00:40:31

I think it, it was certain people,

I remember going back, I used to do

839

: 00:40:34

a few of these intensive courses.

840

: 00:40:36

I think it can be great

in certain situations.

841

: 00:40:39

It can be fantastic.

842

: 00:40:41

if you just want a refresher, I think

that's, it's a great way to do it.

843

: 00:40:45

You know, get it done in a

day has been brilliant for us.

844

: 00:40:48

and the people that have been doing it.

845

: 00:40:49

doing them.

846

: 00:40:51

I think these intensive courses, if you've

got a test at the end of it, that could be

847

: 00:40:55

quite, and you've never driven before, I

think that could put the pressure on you.

848

: 00:40:59

but coming into something like gesture,

she had a little bit of previous

849

: 00:41:02

experience, not a lot, but a little,

and then being able to build on that.

850

: 00:41:08

but it might well be, if you

want to, Get started quick.

851

: 00:41:11

Yes.

852

: 00:41:11

You know, you want that.

853

: 00:41:13

You're the type of person

that I want to learn to drive.

854

: 00:41:16

You've got your car at home.

855

: 00:41:18

Let me learn how to drive and

then I can go and drive my car.

856

: 00:41:21

Yes.

857

: 00:41:22

Go and have some practice, book a

test later, take away that pressure

858

: 00:41:26

of having a test at the end.

859

: 00:41:28

Yeah.

860

: 00:41:28

You've gained that knowledge and

understanding of how to drive safely.

861

: 00:41:31

Then you go away and practice

it and maybe just have a few.

862

: 00:41:36

intermittent lessons before the test

and you've got to wait six months

863

: 00:41:39

for your test at the moment anyway.

864

: 00:41:40

Yeah.

865

: 00:41:41

So it makes perfect sense to do it

this way, but again it won't suit

866

: 00:41:44

everybody because it will be too

tiring for some people, but other

867

: 00:41:48

people will just You know, they

will just jump into it and enjoy it.

868

: 00:41:52

Yeah.

869

: 00:41:52

So it's not for everybody, but it

can be great if that's your style.

870

: 00:41:57

Exactly.

871

: 00:41:58

Lovely.

872

: 00:41:59

So that just leaves us then to

say, huge congratulations to Jess.

873

: 00:42:04

And thank you for recording those

reflections, that audio diary,

874

: 00:42:09

almost of the week and giving us the

opportunity to be a fly on the wall.

875

: 00:42:15

Yeah, it was brilliant.

876

: 00:42:15

It was brilliant.

877

: 00:42:16

Jess was great.

878

: 00:42:17

You know, she was, an ideal student.

879

: 00:42:20

So on that note,

880

: 00:42:22

if you'd like to get in touch, all of our

contact details are in the show notes.

881

: 00:42:27

As always, and until next time,

have a great day, whatever you're