It’s common knowledge, we’re all happy when the targets are breaking, and rightfully so. Along with this happiness…many are then mystified by the ongoing absence of any real improvement in their shooting. Understandably…it being our nature…our final score seems to always get the most attention. And why not…score is important, right? Yes, it is. What’s being overlooked, however, is how to build higher scores, consistently.
In my 3rd book…”Beyond The Target” …I discuss a skill improvement process called Kaizen. Kaizen being a form of skill progression that emphasizes the gradual but constant, uninterrupted process of adding one very important improvement to another. Step by step advancement if you will…with complete confidence that the skill level will steadily and very dependably rise, a result of the cumulative effect of adding improvements…1 by 1. Kaizen is a long proven, utterly reliable methodology, a process that can be trusted to realistically raise a skill level.
I’ll be the last one to criticize wanting a learning process to be “easy.” But few (if any?) “new” skills are learned “quickly.” There has to be a learning process involved. But, which process?
Based on more than a few decades of teaching and personal shooting experience…completely understandably…many shooters who want to advance are more focused on the end results…the outcomes…which are their scores. The truth is, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, whatsoever. Until…expectations are not met. X0X000X0. This is when disappointment and frustration typically become a part of a shooter’s game.
All of this is reinforced by our friends asking, “How’d you do today?” Meaning…what was your score today? Expectations to the front please. Now…all the attention is on score…reinforcing the belief that measuring today’s outcome is what’s most important. It isn’t. It’s this process that ultimately leads to more frustration and unmet expectations. And why more shells downrange with the same, repetitious focus on outcomes, rarely meets the goal of consistency and measurable improvement. Here we have expectations that are exceeding capabilities, and no one is mining the real potential available.
In my humble and experienced opinion, there is an easier way to build more consistency…raise the skill level…and raise scores, dependably. The first step is to end focusing on outcomes and unrealistic expectations. The second step is moving all our attention to organizing the critical components of consistency in our shooting…the basics. These basics quickly become the totally reliable, totally trustworthy foundation under consistency and better shooting performances. These are the individual steps, assembled slowly with increasing confidence after each successful step. It is this very steady, cumulative “process” of adding one small improvement to the next that promises and will deliver skill advancement. Right on schedule, there’s measurable, predictable progress…in the box…and on the scoresheet.
Continuing down the path of pursuing outcomes, regrettably, occurs at the expense of a slower but much more productive course of personal development. There’s an easier way to build a skill, be it with a shotgun, musical instrument or woodworking tools. Rather than ask about score, maybe a better question might be, “How are your practice sessions coming along?” “What’s better in your shooting now than it was last week?”
With Kaizen, the steady, cumulative addition of improvements add up quickly. By focusing on those improvements, the stress of frustration and disappointment quietly exits and is replaced by a rising level of determination to stay on course.
Some may believe a slower, more patient approach to real progress takes too long. It doesn’t. It’s the opposite. How many shooters do you know who have raised their score average by 15 targets over the last 2 years? Would it be fair to say, not the majority? Compare that with the individual who is completely happy watching incremental improvements begin to add 1 target to his/her scores every month. Consistently…and right on schedule. Right there is your score increase. In my book, an increase of 15 more X’s in a year and a half…consistently…is a very doable goal…accomplished by an easier and much more dependable, much more productive method of training.
By adopting this process of focusing on gradual, incremental improvements…it will, dependably, take a shooter to more consistency and higher scores in a much shorter time period. Not only is this progress predictable, but immensely gratifying at each step as well.
Thanks for spending time with us today, always appreciated. Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course.
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About Dan Schindler:
Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors, U.K. and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses and make their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!
Dan Schindler's Books
Take Your Best Shot (Book I) is all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting.
To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.
Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan' life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer and much more.