The evo standard part 1: Improve your driving by setting your ego aside

Our love and passion for cars is the glue in our emotional connection with driving. Whilst it may not be our whole life, it makes our life whole! Such is the ‘thrill of driving’ great cars – the ethos of the magazine you’re reading. My high-performance driving/driver coaching career has revolved around a focused mindset and a deep commitment to be a master at my chosen craft. 

But to become a virtuoso you have to first set a defined path, and inspiration and make an unyielding commitment to follow it, both to reach the top and then stay there. Both require rock-solid dedication; few stay the course and many fall by the wayside. I’d wager there are many thousands of driving enthusiasts who face the same issues of self-doubt that I did – and many thousands more who just want to and a way to be a brilliant driver. Make no mistake, though, these goals are achievable.

But how do we develop the potential within us to be a master of driving? Think of it as unleashing the very best version of yourself and training the mind to focus on your driving objectives. This mindset, and the focus and actions that follow, carry a profound significance for every enthusiast who wants to become a great driver.

Having recently worked with the journalists at evo, I was pleased to encounter kindred spirits and driving specialists of rare virtuosity. Just as well when their work involves driving some of the world’s fastest cars on road, circuit and proving ground. Their driving abilities and mindset are often put to the test just as much as the car is!

> Driving masterclass: how to be a safer and better driver

I realised that their work means they have to have an exceptional standard of driving knowledge and expertise. The ‘evo standard’ if you will. And I believe it’s something to which anyone reading evo can aspire. As an enthusiastic driver, you already have a firm foundation on which to start cultivating your driving capabilities to meet and eventually surpass your own expectations. It’s all about achieving positive results based on values, goals and actions.

This kind of journey of personal development often involves guidance from individuals who have traversed such programmes before us. In this case, a mentor can provide invaluable knowledge and insight, facilitating our understanding of the driving mastery that is within us.

Coaching for performance often requires a participant to relearn new styles and techniques and adopt a new mindset. Often, our greatest obstacle is not lack of knowledge but more likely our ego – or having to unlearn ingrained beliefs and habits that hinder our progress. It’s my belief that engaging in continuous self-evaluation, reflection and learning allows us to discard what no longer serves us and embrace principles that foster our development.

High-performance driving isn’t just about fast cars – it’s about becoming a better driver. This is what the evo Standard is all about. It’s a fresh way of thinking that will enable you to step up your game behind the wheel and revolutionise your overall driving performance, bringing greater safety, confidence and control. 

It’s not about being perfect or having huge natural talent; it’s about cultivating the right attitude, being well-informed, and remaining open to new viewpoints that will enhance your understanding and expertise.

Be prepared to unlearn bad habits and take on new ones

If you ask yourself ‘What do I want from my driving?’ and you decide you want to be a great driver, the journey ahead will include moments where breakthrough learnings and fresh perspectives transform your understanding. Notably, these pivotal moments will often arise not from acquiring new knowledge but from discarding old beliefs and values. To achieve mastery, you must embrace not only learning but also unlearning and relearning.

You must also be honest with yourself about your mental state when you’re in the driver’s seat. If you’ve got the wrong attitude – angry, distracted, full of ego – you’ll never reach your potential. Good driving starts in your head. Your mindset dictates your reactions, your decisions and how well (safely) you deal with what happens on the road. 

> How to position your car on the road: driving masterclass

The best drivers stay calm, think ahead, and take responsibility for everything they do. They don’t let emotions take over; they risk manage and inject safety into the equation. Furthermore, they never stop learning. They’re always improving – not showing off. Every time they get behind the wheel they embrace it as an opportunity to reset their goals and reboot their focus to improve.

A simple way to recall these core principles is to remember that a high-performing driver lives by the ‘three As’:

• Attitude: having the right mindset; exercising emotional and behavioural control.
• Awareness: the ability to see everything – including yourself!
• Aspiration: to be your best.

It’s in these areas where the evo Standard will empower you, helping you build real skill, effective confidence and a deep awareness that will significantly enhance your driving experience and performance.

Over the coming articles in this series I’ll be exposing lots of high-performance driving skills and methodologies, sharing simple but powerful driving tips, and revealing trade-secret techniques and ideas that can seriously raise your game. Together they will form a reliable and consistent framework of a true high-performance driving champion. However, getting the best from this knowledge will require an open mind and a willingness to change your approach.