Thanks so much for this thread. I've been frustrated recently because the 2 other guys I shoot with have not changed anything since our first match and they don't practice, I have gone from a weaver stance to an isoceles, crossed thumbs grip to a thumbs forward, learned how to track the front sight and put several hours in a week for dry fire drills and I have watched my performance go down compared to them ...not hugely so but enough to wonder why the heck was I practicing devouring shooting books and videos or changing anything up.
Steve's words reminded me of how we used to mention in martial arts that in the beginning you will be a worse fighter than before you ever walked through the door. Hard to fight well when you are thinking about how you are throwing your punch, how your feet and hips are angled at the opponent, how your chin is tucked etc etc...This thread helped me remember those lessons. Thanks guys.
Nate