2024, Here We Come! - Ross Bentley's Speed Secrets
Hey, it’s that time again! No, sorry, not time to get in the car and drive on track. I wish. But here we are, at the end of another year, and with that, it’s time for reflection and looking forward.
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Solstice, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years, Festivus, something else, or nothing at all, this time of year is still a good time give to others, and even to yourself.
With that in mind, let’s start by thinking about what we can give to others:
Is there someone who has helped you over the past year to whom you’d like to give thanks?
Is there a way that you can give back to the sport we love and that has given you so much?
Is there someone you could share your knowledge and experience with, who would really appreciate your help – even someone who you may believe to be “better” than you?
We’ve all been told that it’s better to give than to receive, and there is scientific research that shows that it does have a strong positive impact on our lives. And it’s not just in a “that feels good” kind of way. No, after giving someone something, our brain is more receptive to learning, and it performs at a higher level. You probably don’t need a reason to give, but if you do, this might be it.
Now, what can you do for yourself? I know it may seem strange, and maybe even a bit selfish to be giving to yourself, but hear me out.
What do you do well with your driving?
What is your number one strength as a driver?
What part of your driving did you improve at this past year?
Take time to really think about these questions. Reflect on them. If you’re thinking, “I don’t know,” then ask yourself, “If I did know, what would my answers be?” See, sometimes it’s easier to respond with an “I don’t know,” when really there are things you do know, if only you dug down deep and really put some effort into thinking about these questions. And if you were willing to give yourself some credit where credit is due.
It’s always easier to focus on what we can do better, too. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s important to also understand what you’re doing well. Most often, when I ask someone what their strengths are as a driver, I get a couple of hums and haws, and then a list of things they want to get better at. Resist that urge. Be honest with yourself, and if you are, you will find things that you’re doing better than you have in the past.
Spend time over the next week asking yourself what you did well, what your strengths are, and write out a list of your answers. If you want, gift wrap that list and actually give it to yourself on a special day. Research shows that when a person takes this type of action, they learn more, and improve even more in the future. The process of writing something down puts your brain into a more receptive mindset for learning. Even typing something into a computer/tablet has less of an impact on your learning mind than does writing it with a pen or pencil on paper.
If you did more of what you’re good at, maybe you wouldn’t have as much time to do what you’re not good at!
I strongly encourage you to write down what you do well, and what you improved the most this past season. Then give it to yourself as a gift. The impact of doing this might surprise you.
Hey, it’s that time again! I know, I said that already, but now it’s time for an annual ritual of mine.
Every year I think about my priorities for the upcoming year, and then whittle them down to just three words. With my little brain, more than three would overload it to the point of not being able to focus on any of them, and I find just planting these words in my mind helps me make them happen. I’m priming my brain for things to come.
So, my three words for 2024:
Poke: I think part of my role, at least in the driving/coaching world, is to poke at things and ask Why? It’s to look at the things that have been accepted as truths for a long time, and question whether it’s time for a change. It’s also to look at what’s working, and see if there are ways to make those things – and other things – work even better. I’m going to poke at things even more in 2024.
Moment: I’ve been feeling like I’ve spent far too much time lately thinking about what’s next. In fact, that’s not a bad way of describing most of my life. When I do my best work, though, whether that’s driving, writing, or being a husband/father, it’s when I’m engaged in the act of doing those things. It’s when I’m in the moment. Being in the moment sometimes “just happens,” but it’s also a choice. So, I’m choosing to be in the moment more often in 2024.
Home: After decades of flying a couple hundred thousand miles every year, I’m planning on cutting back a little on travel this coming year. Part of the reason is that air travel is not even as much fun as it once was, part because it’s getting to the point where I can coach and help drivers remotely, and part because I enjoy my time at home. When I was locked down at home for 2.5 months in 2020 with the pandemic, I half-joked that it was an introvert’s dream come true. Despite all the bad that Covid brought us, it reinforced how much I like being at home – and how much I can accomplish from home. It’s not just being at our house, but it’s being where I feel at home – which includes being behind the wheel, driving.
By the way, by making these words public, I give you permission to call me out if I’m not living up to them at any time. That’s one of the reasons for sharing them, here.
This past year resulted in a few surprises for me. I went into 2023 with no plans to launch and write in Substack. In fact, at this time a year ago, I didn’t know Substack existed. But I’m always on the lookout for new things, things to learn, and things that will allow me to do a better job in whatever I’m doing. As far as writing goes, I think publishing here every week (usually, more often than once a week) has helped.
Also, this time last year I barely knew that this whole new thing called AI existed, but then I dove in headfirst to learn about and use ChatGPT and LLMs (Large Language Model). In an almost Karma-like way, the next thing I knew I was working with a partner to create and launch SpeedSecrets.ai.
I wonder what I don’t know right now that will suddenly appear in 2024 as I poke, moment, and home my way through another year?
How about you? If you had to choose just three words to describe what your priorities are, your focus is, for 2024, what would they be? You can confine this to just driving, or open it up to other parts of your life.
Two of my favorite sayings are:
With that in mind, I’d love some feedback and input from you:
What do you most like about what I write here on my Substack?
What would you like to see more of, or less of?
Is there anything else I can do to help you?
Please click on the Comment link below and give me your feedback. I love reading the comments you leave after I post an article, so please keep them coming, especially regarding these questions.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and everyone who subscribes to this Substack, whether free or paid, whether you comment or not. I felt as though I was mostly experimenting with how to make Substack something of value to readers throughout 2023, and I do plan to be a bit more intentional with it in 2024. With that in mind, I intend to make the paid subscription even more valuable, possibly holding some private online Q&A sessions (where I get to use my trusty whiteboard and model cars). More on this in the near future.
Thank you for being here! Happy New Year!
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