There were very few cars with automatic gearboxes when I learned to drive . Finding out how to use the clutch and gear stick/stick-shift was part and parcel of the process for me.
Of course these days there are many more automatics around, but I still enjoy driving a car that puts me in charge of the gear I drive in. Four (or five) choices when it comes to going forward, and just the one when you need to reverse, which is not a bad analogy for the way we progress through life.
Although it's usual to move forward, there will always be times when you need to back up a little. When you do so, move slowly: there's no need to rush. And aim to go no more than a short way in reverse. It's usually used for parking rather than long-distance motoring, and that's why there's just the one backwards gear.
Use your forward gears in succession - both upwards and downwards. Get things started in first gear, which will move you slowly but surely. Change up only when the time's right. You'll know when it is. When you need to slow up, change down gradually.
Some may argue that taking a positive approach to life means being bullish and full-on all the time, but maybe it makes more sense to learn from a car's manual gearbox? There are several forward modes, and the trick, I'm sure, is to know which gear to use when.
In inclement conditions we're generally advised to drive slowly in a low gear. It gives you more power. Wise advice next time you're going through a difficult patch yourself, perhaps?
Really excellent way to get us motoring. To mote-ivate us. And to make sure we get where we want, when we want.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this analogy! And I am a purveyor of good analogies - so it must be good ;-)
ReplyDeletethis is very relevant to my situation right now. i am trying to be too upbeat, going straight into top gear in the face of adversity in order not to be too downbeat. it's not working as really it's totally unrealistic. even the most unimaginative optimist would display a bit of realism here. so today i am going to stay in first gear.what a reassuring email jon. i feel much better already and it's only 9.40am!
ReplyDeleteGood thinking Julia, hope you're taking it easy today as well. One step at a time!
DeleteStuck in the snow on Sunday and was advised that second gear caused less wheel spin!
DeleteWe then were able to move!
Truely believe that first gear/top gear are both too extreme
:-)
A really great analogy, thanks very much
ReplyDeleteNice analogy and useful!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I drive with the handbrake... bad idea, no ?
I love the analogy too - I must try and remember it in more trying times.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Many thanks for it!
ReplyDeleteThere come times in life when you really have to slow down or go back a little. When it happens it might be difficult if you look at life as at a race. Everyone around is going forward on hight gear (at least we assume it) and we can't...In that time being kind to yourself is such an important thing. Being good to self like Mr. Rogers would be to us ;)..
This is a great analogy - thank you!
ReplyDelete