Driving Trainigs

The Forever Clause

The idea of what resolutions are just hit me. Beyond goal-setting, they are trying out solutions to problems<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> again</span></b>. The again part is what sticks out the most to me. Deep down (and sometimes on a more surface level) I know what my issues are. I've been determined to change my habitual behaviors before. I give a little bit of thought to changing X and a couple of days later I've forgotten all about my goal.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Recently, I attended a class that discussed goal setting. An idea that was discussed was that each goal should have a beginning and an ending date. A siren in my head went off. Ding ding ding! Yes, I get it! Most of my goals have this unwritten but well understood <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">forever clause</span></b> in them. And forever is a long time to change a behavior. It's so long that subconsciously knowing that I want to change X <i>permanently</i> sets me up for failure. Having an end point however gives me something to build upon. If I can do (or not do) something for 3 days or a week then the next time I resolve to do it then I can increase my time up to one month. And then one year. And then it's a habit and no need to set a goal again. It's a part of me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last year, I took the challenge to not use my phone while driving for one month. It was painful. And I think that month was the slowest of my life. I was largely successful with only a couple of mess-ups. Now, several months later, I use my phone occasionally while driving but in the speaker setting rather than to my ear. But what has really changed is the overall number of times I feel I actually need to talk to people. In general I've curbed the behavior tremendously.</div><div><br /></div><div>But somehow I missed the entire point of my goal. It wasn't to stop using my phone. It was to stop distracted driving. And though I can't curb every distraction (a backseat full of kids adds quite a bit), there is still much I can do.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My new resolution: Eat at home.</span></div><div>Start date: February 1, 2011</div><div>End date: February 28, 2011</div><div>Steps to accomplish the goal:<br />1. Have meals prepared one hour prior to needing to walk out the door.<br />2. Start loading in the car (finding everyone's shoes) 15 minutes before leaving.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, you may be thinking, "what's this got to do with driving?" Well, if I make time to eat at home then I won't eat in the car. My kids will also eat at home. And I won't need to pass them snacks. (Tossing a sandwich or an apple into the 3rd row usually equates to rumble strip vibrations.) I think there will be a side benefit, too. If we made time to eat at home, then we also made plans to get to wherever we're going on time and won't be in a hurry to get anywhere. And rushing around leads to all sorts of bad driving behaviors.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a simple plan. Only two steps. Lots of benefits - driving and otherwise. I hope I'm not in for another <i>longest-month-of-my-life</i>.<br /><br /></div>

The Forever Clause

The idea of what resolutions are just hit me. Beyond goal-setting, they are trying out solutions to problems again . The again part is what...

Detroit 2011: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe revs its beating heart

<span id="share_image"><img id="iimg" src="http://www.sportscarsfans.com/images/script/image.php?id=F461_4D2D8346" style="width: 460px; height: 307px;" /></span>  <br /><br />BMW's latest introduction to the U.S. market bowed today at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and it's a machine that's meant to light the true enthusiast's heart aflutter: the 2012 1 Series M Coupe. We must say, it looks rather striking in the metallic orange hue you see in our live photo gallery below.<br /><br />Even more importantly, the 340 horsepower put out by its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine is said to "capture the soul of the original M3." Or so they say... BMW claims this new sportster was inspired by the 1988 M3, and the German automaker's intention is reportedly to "illustrate its ability to build race car performance into a small car, capable of everyday use."<br /><br />Expect to see the new 1 Series M Coupe hit dealership lots in the spring of 2011 for $47,010, in limited quantities according to BMW.

Detroit 2011: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe revs its beating heart

BMW's latest introduction to the U.S. market bowed today at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and it's a machine that's meant to lig...

Detroit 2011: 2012 BMW 650i Convertible goes topless in the Motor City

In addition to the scorched orange 1 Series M Coupe at the BMW booth in Detroit was the new 2012 BMW 650i Convertible. Under the sharply c...

Detroit 2011: 2012 Buick Verano is quietly powerful

<span id="share_image"><img id="iimg" src="http://www.sportscarsfans.com/images/script/image.php?id=01A7_4D2CAC92" style="width: 460px; height: 307px;" /></span>  <br /><br />If you were wondering how General Motors was planning to differentiate the 2012 Buick Verano from its Chevy Cruze counterpart, wonder no more. According to Buick, its newest addition will offer the quietest ride in its segment thanks to heaps of laminated glass, triple door seals and a host of other muting technologies. Buick calls the cabin "library quiet," though there's no word as to whether the interior smells of old books. They've also made sure to throw in the same levels of refinement as found in the likes of the Lacrosse, and drivers can expect to find the same high-quality leather and a host of tech goodies as the bigger four-door.<br /><br />That's all fine and good, but we're more excited about what Buick has thrown under the hood of the 2012 Verano. Buyers who opt for the base car will be met with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 177 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, Buick is shooting for around 31 mpg highway. The really juicy news is that the Verano will also be available with the same turbo 2.0-liter four cylinder found in the Regal Turbo, and again with your choice of six-speed manual or automatic! That means this significantly smaller, lighter four-door will be available with a full 220 horsepower.

Detroit 2011: 2012 Buick Verano is quietly powerful

If you were wondering how General Motors was planning to differentiate the 2012 Buick Verano from its Chevy Cruze counterpart, wonder no m...

Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome

<span id="share_image"><img id="iimg" src="http://www.sportscarsfans.com/images/script/image.php?id=6C4A_4D2CAAA3" style="width: 461px; height: 306px;" /></span>  <br /><br />Audi has unveiled its mid-range 2012 A6 sedan, and as we learned from advanced photos, it follows closely in the mold of its big brother, the A8. As the range-topping sedan is a pretty piece, that's not a bad thing, but Audi seems to be channeling BMW's old "One sausage, three sizes" design mantra of decades ago. In this case, that means a massive single-frame grille, available LED headlamps (as shown), and a relatively simple and unadorned profile that lends the A6 a premium look that will likely wear well over the years.<br /><br />The new A6 will be available globally with two gas engines and three TDI diesel powerplants, as well as a front-wheel drive-only hybrid model. The most powerful gasoline-fed model will be the 3.0-liter TFSI Quattro, packing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed S tronic automatic.

Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome

Audi has unveiled its mid-range 2012 A6 sedan, and as we learned from advanced photos, it follows closely in the mold of its big brother, ...