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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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

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: 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

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: 00:04:33

I'm not questioning myself so much, so

I think that's a definitely a practice

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: 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.

83

: 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