der Bayerische March/April 2020 - 3

TheSteeringColumn
Over the past several issues, it's been my pleasure
and privilege to contribute a series of articles
entitled "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
Autocrossers". The genesis of the series
occurred several years ago. I had volunteered to
coach at a local autocross. The students were
primarily novice drivers who were struggling a
bit. I got in the car, offered a tip or two, and off
we went. As usual, I provided guidance during
the run, both verbal (Left! Right! Looking ahead,
looking ahead... Easy... Enter wide, exit tight...
Gas, gas, gas!) and via hand gestures. After the
run, the expression on the students' faces
conveyed that light-bulb moment. They got it,
and it began to transform not only their driving,
but their enjoyment of the sport. Their epiphany
was my epiphany. I had been seeking a way to
share my enthusiasm and passion for motorsports, and it looked like I had found it. From
that time, I started jotting down my ideas on what
I had learned about driving autocross and track

day events, hoping that some day I would have
the chance to share them in written form.
My inspiration for the title of the series was
Stephen Covey's book, "The Seven Habits of
Highly Effective People", one of the three most
influential books I've ever read.
So, what did Mr. Covey have to say? He
divided his advice into three parts: personal
habits, interpersonal habits, and an overall,
encompassing habit. Here's what he had to say,
in a nutshell.
The "Personal Habits" included beginning
with the end in mind (setting goals), putting first
things first (prioritizing), and being proactive
(taking the initiative).
The "Interpersonal Habits" included seeking
first to understand, then to be understood. In any
interaction, strive to understand the other
person's point of view before trying to get them to
understand yours. People will be more open to
trying to understand you when they see that you

understand them. A corollary is to assume good
intentions on the other party's behalf (unless and
until proven otherwise). Next, Covey described
"thinking win-win". Find solutions that benefit
everyone, not just yourself. Adopt the perspective that life is not a zero-sum game. His interpersonal habits concluded with the advice to
"synergize". The group benefits when each
member of the team contributes based on their
strengths. That's why the whole is greater than
the sum of the parts.
The seventh, encompassing habit was to
"sharpen the saw". Exercise your body and your
mind. Learn continuously. Grow incrementally.
A final thought: Be part of something bigger
than yourself.
Thank you for allowing me to share.
v/r,
Jack Raymond
Editor

The new Car Club Store is here
with a new look, new merchandise
and improved ordering process.

Accessories
Ladies'
- Jackets
- Polos/Knits
- Woven

Men's
- Jackets
- Polos/Knits
- Woven

Welcome to the new BMW Car Club of America National Capital Chapter fulfillment clothing store. Here you can show your
support for the BMW Car Club of America National Chapter. You can special order Ladies' and Men's clothing with our logo applied to the
garment. Thank you for visiting our store! Happy shopping!

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der Bayerische March/April 2020

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