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3 Lessons From a Race Car Driver: How to Prepare When There’s No Time to Practice

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Race car drivers don’t get much time to train the way other professional athletes do. Expenses such as track rental and entry fees, paying team members to help, and hospitality logistics make it tough. Often, we don’t practice until the actual race weekend, when you’re lucky if you get to participate in a handful of 30-minute track sessions.

Yet, everything has to play out perfectly from the seat of my Lamborghini — one error can be disastrous at worst and cost you a strong finish at best. That means we have to get creative about honing our craft if we want to succeed.

The old adage that practice makes perfect is nice in theory, but in some industries, practicing isn’t always possible. It’s hard to practice skills when you’re expected to immediately execute on them.

Startup leaders, for example, must rely on themselves to wear many hats. They likely don’t yet have a fully-fledged team of people who have mastered their skills and are experts in their field. When a problem or opportunity arises, entrepreneurs must be able to learn fast and perform perfectly. There’s no time and less money, but the work has to be done and done well.

So how do you stay on top of your game when there’s no time for dress rehearsal or a rough draft? Here are a three things I’ve learned as a professional race car driver:

1. Research all you can

There have been times when I couldn’t gather data or in-car video of the race I was about to compete in. However, I could find a video online of a pro taking a lap around the track and make notes from that.

Feel like there are missing pieces in a project? Open yourself up to other resources. Seek out ideas that might not seem related at first. In the digital age, we can find just about anything online. You open many more doors to success and opportunity once you get creative about the learning process.

Part of your research should include talking to others who have been through similar experiences. If I hadn’t driven a track before but know someone who has, you can bet I’ll ask what the experience was like.

Focus on others’ experience, not necessarily on their advice. Learn what stood out to them, what help they wish they had, or what surprised them. From there, you can create your own solutions based on what you’ve already researched and learned.

“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” – Abraham Lincoln

2. Make sure your mind and body are ready to perform

The best thing you can do to aid in performance — especially if you’re called upon to act without the chance to prepare — is to commit to constant maintenance of your body and mind.

If you feel physically strong and your mental game is in tip-top shape, you’ll be that much more equipped to handle unforeseen challenges. Physical workout preparation is very important to my on-track performance. The temperature can reach 155 degrees, easily, in race car cockpits, and the physical toll of controlling the machine is no joke. Each brake application is equivalent to 150 to 200 pounds of strain on your body, and steering loads can reach up to 55 pounds.

Add to that the constant lateral and longitudinal forces pulling at your body against the harness, and you can see why race car driving is a sport. I once lost four pounds from sweating alone in one race. So I’ve learned to keep myself in optimum physical and mental condition. That way, I’m always ready for a challenge — whenever it might spring up.

Keep your body and mind in performance-ready shape by prioritizing sleep, hydration, and proper fueling. These practices keep you mentally fresh, concentrated, and happy. If you can’t practice, at least you can prepare yourself to jump on any new opportunity that comes your way.

3. Keep data on your past performances

Just because we’re not able to practice doesn’t mean we can’t stay engaged in our performance. Data acquisition is without question the fastest way to improve your driving — or any performance. For race car drivers, data logging is as vital as stock reports are for investors. It should be similar for any professional.

The reams of information that data systems provide can help a driver evaluate and identify areas to improve. Through the many channels of data, the system allows you to graphically see how much speed you carried into a bend, if changing a technique on a lap was helpful, or whether your throttle application is efficient. Once you have those insights, the key becomes finding out why certain strategies are stronger. This turns driver “feel” into science.

Investing time and resources into tracking data will convert into real-life application. Even entrepreneurs and business leaders need to be able to study their past performances, find out what worked, and look for areas where it’s appropriate to try something new. Tracking key performance metrics will help you filter what’s relevant and what’s not, allowing you to speed ahead to a worthy solution.

“Study the past, if you would divine the future.” – Confucius

Whether race car driving or developing a new app you’re trying to get funding for, there’s more to it than “practice makes perfect.” And thank goodness for that! Performing when you haven’t had the chance to properly prepare is all about hustle, hard work, persistence, and putting yourself in the best position possible to execute flawlessly.

Which one of the 3 lessons could you apply most to your life to achieve everything you want this year? Let us know below!

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

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Success Advice

What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)

Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

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Image Credit: Midjourney

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)

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