Driving instructors do far more than simply teaching people how to drive. Along with driving skills, they also develop other necessary skills in a driver like patience, flexibility, judgment, quick decision making, perception, etc. However, teaching driving and developing these abilities in a driver is not a piece of cake. It is a challenging responsibility that often causes stress and anxiety for the students as well as the instructors. If you’re an aspiring instructor enrolled in a Driving Instructor Course like TLI41222, developing a stress management system for yourself will only help you in the long run. But even if you’re already a professional instructor, learning a few tricks to check your stress levels can improve your job performance and bring more satisfaction. Here are a few tips to help you keep your cool and make your driving lessons more productive and impactful for the students.
Stay Alert and Aware
Stress can often make you feel confused, restless, and unanchored. To counter this, it’s essential to stay present in the moment. Staying alert and aware of your surroundings can help you handle situations calmly instead of reacting impulsively. As driving instructors, you can feel stressed when a student makes a mistake. However, try to take things one at a time and help them identify and correct one mistake before moving on to the next. Taking a systematic problem-solving approach can greatly reduce stress and also make the students feel appreciated and supported.
Take a Positive and Motivating Approach
When stressed, motivation always works better than panicking and fixating on mistakes. For new drivers, learning to drive can be a stressful experience. But as an instructor, if you keep a positive attitude and motivate them when needed, you can build their confidence, change their attitude towards mistakes, and also encourage them to work harder. Simple reinforcements acknowledging their efforts and highlighting their small achievements can also work wonders. It can help reduce your stress and keep a level head while teaching.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Unpredictable situations and unexpected hazards are a part and parcel of driving on the road. From sudden car breakdowns to wild animals crossing the road, there’s a lot that can take you by surprise. However, you should not let these surprises throw you off. Instead, try to stay calm and anticipate potential hazards. When faced with unprecedented circumstances, keeping a level head and maintaining control can keep stress and pressure away.
Take Regular Breaks
Driving constantly for a long time can be tiring for anyone. Driving instructors may also find long hours of teaching behind the wheel tiring. It can affect physical health as well as cause stress and frustration. To keep stress at bay, try to take short drink breaks, relax your muscles with a walk, and unwind from time to time. By reducing fatigue and staying focused, you can avoid stress easily.
Practice Deep Breathing
When you’re a driving instructor, you will surely face difficult moments that make you stressed. It can be anything like a driving maneuver gone wrong or a potential accident. Panicking or getting anxious won’t help anybody and would instead hinder your remaining lesson. So, you should try to relieve your stress and stay calm. Do some light breathing exercises to calm down and lower your stress levels.
Set Clear Boundaries
When you fail to express yourself or understand your students properly, it can cause stress to both parties. While your students don’t know what you expect from them, you also don’t know what issues they are facing. Instead of keeping things unclear and unresolved, you should strive to have clear communication. Give them precise instructions and clear guidance. Set clear boundaries regarding behavior, punctuality, and lesson goals. Communicating clearly can help you remain stress-free and actively involved in your students’ progress.
Conclusion
For driving instructors, managing stress effectively is an important part of driving education. While it does keep instructors mentally calm and focused on their job, it can also improve the quality of their driving lessons. Whether you’re completing the TLI41222 Driving Instructor Course or already a working professional, learning to manage stress can increase job satisfaction and make your career soar. If you’re also an aspiring driving instructor, consider learning the ropes of stress management by enrolling in helpful courses from the Academy of Road Safety. Join us today to enhance your professional skills and build a rewarding career as an expert driving instructor!
