How Racing Drivers Set Goals
Hello friends,
Since starting University in September, I’ve struggled to focus on my goals. They seem so far away, and I've searched for "easier" career paths to avoid the pain of patience.
Building a resilient mindset has been my weapon for countering that.
Even though my goals are years away from being achievable, nothing is stopping me from laying the foundations to achieve them in my daily actions.
In racing, as in life, setting goals is essential. But no one is successful based on the size of their goal, it is the systems you put in place that take you to the next level.
We all want results, whether it’s improving lap times or climbing the championship standings. But goals set the direction, and systems create the wins.
Goals vs Systems
"You don't rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems." - James Clear
Goal: Cut 1 second off your fastest lap time.
System: Review video footage, practice braking points, and run reaction drills daily.
Think about it, every driver has the same goal - to win.
However, only one driver will achieve that goal. It is the driver that has the best systems and preparation.
Goals are the destination. Systems are the steps that take you there. Here's how to set goals that you'll actually achieve.
How Racing Drivers set Goals
Focus on the controllables, forget the uncontrollables.
When you set goals where the outcome is determined by someone or something else, you set yourself up for failure.
If you’re the fastest driver on the grid with the best machinery, starting on pole and leading every lap, the engine could break down, or you could get a puncture. If you lose in that situation, you’ve essentially failed your goal.
Instead, focus on the things inside your control (corner entry speed, hitting braking points, etc.). It doesn't need to be rocket science. Here are 3 ways you can increase your likelihood of winning:
1 - Build Daily Habits
Habits are what you do every day without fail. For example, brushing your teeth is a daily habit. Can you build daily habits that contribute to your long-term success in motorsport? Can you commit 10 minutes per day to analysing telemetry or practicing visualisation? Whatever it is, small actions compound over time.
2 - Track Your Progress
As racing drivers, we're competitive. What better competitor than yourself?
Track your progress over time with your habits on and off the track to see a visual representation of how your hard work is paying off. This could be comparing your lap time at a certain track month after month.
Pro tip: make sure you make notes after each session (kind of like a journal) to get a better understanding of the data.
3 - Adapt to the Unexpected
Anything can happen in motorsport, and it usually does.
If you’re pushed off the track in turn 1, reassess. Could the rest of the race be an opportunity to test overtaking skills or refine consistency?
The situation might not be ideal, but the only thing that matters is how you respond. You can't control what you can't control.
Resource Recommendation
James Clear’s Atomic Habits is a must-read. The principle of “falling to the level of your systems” is a game-changer for drivers looking to build sustainable performance.
Thanks for reading this new format of the Margins newsletter. What’s one system you’ve built that’s made a difference in your driving? I’d love to hear and feature tips from the community.
If you found it helpful, share it with a friend and reply to this email if you have any questions.
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See you next week,
Rhys
