Operating concept for driving a self-propelled vehicle

An agricultural work machine (10) with a drive unit (18) for driving the agricultural work machine (10), and with a control element (24) arranged to be deflectable in a shift gate (30) for controlling the drive unit (18) and for setting a speed of the agricultural work machine (10), wherein according to the invention the speed of the agricultural work machine (10) is selectively switchable and adjustable in an acceleration-proportional first mode (M1) or in a displacement-proportional second mode (M2).