In today's episode, we thought we'd talk about action plans. Um, K for the main reason why we thought this would be topical for this week is because we've just finished running our first free event where we helped people create their own action plan. Exactly. Yeah. So. We fought. This would be for people that didn't get on the free event for whatever reason. Basically give everybody the chance to create their own action plan. And that's what we're going to talk about today. Yeah. So. Why is it that we think that. Creating an action plan is so important. Well, first off, um, an action plan is a strategy or a course of action. That you can take. That's the meaning in the dictionary. If you look to us, that's what it means. So when you look at that for yourself, it's. Basically a course of steps that you're going to take to reach your goal. And past why it's really important because you want to achieve your goal. So how do you get there? And create an action plan. Is a wonderful way to do it. Yeah, no, this makes sense to me because. You can create an action plan while you're driving. You can't do the two things at the same time. If, if driving is what's causing you to feel nervous or to feel anxious, then actually you need to take the driving out of it while you're doing some planning and preparation. Yeah. And you might well do this on your own. You might do this, uh, away from the car. I mean, if he was doing it with your driving instructor or, if you're doing it with myself, you're not doing it. In the car, you're doing it online. So wherever you're doing it, you're not actually driving. But you're giving yourself the real time to think about the steps that you're going to take. Yeah. And because you're not driving It means that you're going to be more logical because you're not going to be so emotional about it. You're going to be able to look at it from a. Clear perspective with a clear head, so to speak. Yeah. And that's what you need to really, because. You might think, oh, I need to, pass my driving test. So, what I need to do is have lessons and then. Drive and start to tell me what to do and I'll be able to pass my test. Well, that's not really an action plan because it's got no formal steps in place of what you need to do. What are you going to do in those driving lessons? And this is where. The process needs to be fought about. You really need to think about. What needs to be done to achieve your goal? There might be a number of steps you need to take for each. Separate goal. So you might think I'm driving on Joel carriageways might be at the moment. Really scary. So you might need to do you know what? I just need to drive on one and come off one. But then you might need to drive on them at busier times. So there'd be two steps for the same topic. Yeah. We talk a lot, don't worry about baby steps. Yeah. What do you need to do first? What is the smallest manageable step? What's the first baby step with nothing being too small or too insignificant. Because then you're building every time you achieve a step of your action plan, that then leads you on to the next step. Exactly. And this is what steps are all about. Isn't it? You spit like going up a ladder. You wouldn't. You know, one to miss a few, it's going to be a really big step to take. In that scenario. So if you can make. Little manageable. Steps. It's going to make it easier for you, but you also be able to realize the skills that you needed to complete that step. That you can then use for other steps on your journey. Yeah. I mean, those early steps are the foundational pieces. Aren't they? That will help you. So using as an example, moving off and stop in, you use that all the time. So once you've nailed that as an early step. That helps you to do everything else. Exactly. You. It could be a traffic light. Yeah. Yes. You're the first at the traffic lights. And I know we've done an episode on that, but you can use those same skills again. We've created an action plan. Yes, it's great to do it. But it's also quite a bit done by you. It's gotta be created by yourself. Yeah, because otherwise you're not going to buy into it, or you're just not going to. Feel ownership and that's where it is. You need to take ownership. So you feel that you are. Moving in. The direction that you want to at the speed that you want to and have the understanding of why you're doing each step along the way. Yeah, so that you're ready for each next piece. Yeah, and this is, this is what it's all about. Isn't it. You know, you, you get to a certain stage where. I'm ready for the next one. I've completed that stage. Yeah, definitely. No. Planning for me. It's a pen and paper. But also planning can be talking out loud. With a coach like yourself. Or with your driving instructor or with whoever's helping you out with your driving. Yeah. There's so many different ways to create an action plan. You might be a very visual learner. So doing something like a mind map. Is is a fantastic way of some people call them spider maps, whatever you want to call them. But it's a way of getting your force onto a bit of paper, so you can see clearly. The steps that you're going to take to get to your goal. Yeah, I think it is important to get it out of your thoughts to get it out of your head. So whether that's writing it down or verbalizing it because. It just helps you process it in a very different way. Yes. If you're just talking about it in head, there's too much going on. Look at it, write it down. It makes different senses. You know, you're using different parts of the brain. When you write stuff down or you create pictures, whatever you want to do, but you, you are. Using different parts of the brain. So you might write it down and you think, well, no, that doesn't. I need to do that after I've done this. So it helps you make sense of it. Yeah. And again, once you've written it down or pictures down, whatever you do in. Then have a look at it. Uh, maybe. Walk away. Yeah, walk away and then come back to it. And it's like, oh my God, what have I done? You know, that doesn't make sense. This. That's had some thinking here that needs to cause that step's going to be too big. Yeah. What's missing. What's missing. I have a look at what's missing. I mean, I love something like cool timelines. Um, where you start wanting to have the end goal and the upper end is where you are now. And then plot that journey. In between the timeline. So you say, I want to be doing this here, this here, this here. That's it until you've reached that goal and then work your way back. And then find out exactly what's missing. So I've got a detailed action plan of how I'm going to get there. Yeah. But it's not set in stone. No. I think this is quite important as well. Be kind to yourself. If something doesn't work. Within that. Timeline within that plan. Leave yourself room for. Little things to go wrong. And so you've given yourself a little breathing space. Yeah. Room for maneuver. Room for maneuver. Room for maneuver. So the two that we've used this week with, the group in the event, is our driving confidence coaching wheel. And that's something that anybody can download from the website for free so, that's a great place to start There's also a video on how to use that on the website as well. Yeah, I think it's a great tool that we designed there. And however you choose to plan, the most important thing is remembering that nothing is going to change unless you make a change, unless you do something differently. There's no change without change. You got to want to change as well? 11 you, yeah. And you've got to want and get to that goal. And I think this is, you know, where this helps you. Cause it gives you structure. Yeah. Gives you structure. And there is just something about taking action in getting a plan written down, which in itself will make you feel different. Yeah. And you might even, Just something that's cropped into my head that. As you might even reward yourself after two steps of that plan. You know, you might say, do you know what. I'm going to do this. Whatever it is, you know, so again, you know, building. Rewards as well. Yeah, I'm making sure that you celebrate your successes at every step. If you've taken action, if you're working towards that first step, it doesn't matter. If you haven't completely ticked it off your list, it can still be a work in progress, but just celebrate the fact that you've been working towards it. And that you've put the work in. Yeah, no, definitely it keeps you motivated. Yeah. That's the key there. I love action plans. Okay. Great. So I hope you found that helpful if you have, don't forget to leave a review on apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. And don't forget to share with anyone else who you think might find it useful. And don't forget, you can download that confident drivers will on our website. And let us know how you get on with your action plans. All of our contact details are in the show notes as always, and until next time have a great day, whatever you're doing. If you have enjoyed our podcast, did you know, we can also help you get back on the road to driving confidence? If you want to have the feeling of being safe. Be able to go shopping without relying on public transport. Create more time in your daily schedule. Become a confident driver. Visit friends or relatives that live further away. Drive to and from places of work. Feel safer when driving on faster roads. Then our coaching packages will help you create the easy to follow action plan to your driving confidence. Using our unique drive Calm system within our coaching sessions backed up by the free access to the confident drivers website and all the wonderful tools and techniques it has to offer. You will feel confident that you can take that first step in getting back driving. So if you'd like to find out more information, go to the confident drivers website.