BigDave Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 What do any of you use for keeping negativity at bay witout becoming apathetic or simply having an IDGAF (i dont give a f***) attitude? I know it is impossible to be happy at all times, and there is an ebb and flow to things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 It is a personal decision. You wake up every day and you can decide to be happy or not. Glass half full or half empty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 BigDave, Recognizing it is the first step. How can you "fix" or redirect somethng that you don't conciously realize? Here's an example of what happened to me this weekend. I went out and practiced friday, and although things went pretty well I was not totally happy. I tinkered for a few hours on my gun, changing the hammer, mainspring, mainspring housing, recoil spring and guide rod. I had gotten about 4 or 5 light hits while practicing and did not know for certain why. So the first stage Sat. all this negative stuff started racing through my head. Will the gun work, did I fit everything right, what recoild spring did I go too..etc. Just a bunch of BS. I basically told my mind to STOP, and that I would except whatever happened and deal with it as it came, otherwise I was going to just shoot what I saw. Gun worked perfect all day Sat and all day Sun. Off course it's sitting on my bench in pieces, don't ask, that's for another post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Di Vita Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 TL has it down. You choose how you will react to any situation. The problems you have aren't important, we all have problems. What truly matters is how you handle them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn jones Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 prozac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 What do any of you use for keeping negativity at bay witout becoming apathetic or simply having an IDGAF (i dont give a f***) attitude?I know it is impossible to be happy at all times, and there is an ebb and flow to things. Dude! Are you talking about shooting, or life in general? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ankeny Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Don't ever confuse negativity with a "critical" approach to shooting. There is nothing wrong with being critical of your performance as long as it doesn't turn into negativity or self imposed limitations. Indeed, most folks who are highly competitive will blow off a little steam when they screw up. Just be sure to get over it before you fire the next round. Don't ever go to the line with a thought like gee this course is tough, or I need to go prone and I suck. Instead, think in terms like there isn't a shot I can't make and my time will be good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Larry Cazes Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 In Life, In General: I regularly take stock of all of the things I have for which I am grateful. For example......My Wife, My Health, My friends, Etc. I have been out of work for 7 months now but that is really a very small thing and it too shall pass. In shooting: All I have to do is remind myself of those friends of mine that for whatever reason cannot or will not participate in this sport and I don't mind that I am not a master class shooter! Just being part of this sport and having some time to work on getting better is enough for me. This may sound cliche but remember that there is always someone who is less fortunate than you. Hang in there....... Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted November 24, 2003 Author Share Posted November 24, 2003 Life in general (which includes shooting), not shooting specifically. Several months ago I was doing fine with this very thing; not worrying about things I can't control, and having an overall positive outlook. Then, I had a verbal altercation with an interim superior and things have gone to pot since then. I know it comes down to a decision. Its my choice how I react to everything. I am responsible. In getting back there, I don't want to ignore the negativity. I'm afraid that if I do, it will seem as though in some situations I don't care, when I actually should and do. Does this make sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 There IS an ebb and flow to things, yes, but it IS a conscious decision we make (every day, actually) to master it or let it master us. I, myself, kinda fancy being the master, and am even willing to take responsibility for those days when it's just a little harder to be "professional (a warrior)" than other days. Because every day that I take control (even on the bad days) I'm actually moving forward. If I let the bad days take away my right to mastery, however, I've slipped back and have to climb up out of the weirdness again. Jeez, and how I so hate wasting my own time on climbing out of the weirdness anymore! Shooting and Life...? Same mental stuff. Buy one "Warrior/Professional Mentality Kit" and apply it to both. Good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 BigDave . . . that's a tough situation. Hang in there a few more weeks . . . it will all get better when you come home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Then, I had a verbal altercation with an interim superior and things have gone to pot since then. Don't give the prick (looter, a-hole, etc.) the satisfaction of having an effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless13 Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I completely agree with Flex on this one. I've found that when someone is being a thorn in my side, it's easier to walk away, complain about it to a few friends, than to do what comes naturally. Self-mastery comes from striving to do things that we think we can't, and not doing things we know we shouldn't. Simple as that. KS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I know it comes down to a decision. Its my choice how I react to everything. I am responsible. In getting back there, I don't want to ignore the negativity. I'm afraid that if I do, it will seem as though in some situations I don't care, when I actually should and do. Does this make sense? It does. I feel it and see it in others as the question, basically - When should I ignore my feelings and just let things go, or when should I take a stand? Of course there is no answer. But personally, I've found that whenever my action or reaction is emotionally charged, eventually, maybe tomorrow, next week, or years later, I'll realize it was a mistake. I suffer for it. I've also realized that almost every time I react from a personal or ego bias, I'm not only in some way defending some view, but the action/reaction itself has little more significance than just habit. It's a lesson that keeps penetrating deeper and deeper. Does this make sense? And in discovering this I've also realized that what is required to (what is normally called) "change" is more akin to simply breaking a habit. This is not to imply that it's easy - to disregard one's self requires tremendous attention. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 Yes, it does make sense. I think what concerns me (there's an understatement) is that, almost to the instant of the occurance, I knew exactly what I was doing. I think the thought that I have decided to allow this to effect me negatively pisses me off more than how I reacted to the altercation itself. And it seems to be self-perpetuating. I don't mean to get over-philosophical here, but its nearly as if I'm a spectator and I'm watching the events unfold before my own eyes and I'm powerless to do anything about it, but paradoxically (if that is even a word) I know I can do something. That is what really is pissing me off. Goddamn ego. Its almost like the Falling Plate even in action pistol when I know I don't have a good shot but pull the damn trigger anyway. Thank you all for your insight, it is helping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 One of my informal (but extremely valuable) de facto coaches recently said, "If you don't like the sight picture you're seeing, wait until you DO before you squeeze the trigger." That extra split-second of mastery and control will certainly improve your score... and improve your patience to accept nothing less than your highest standard of performance. And keep you from being ticked off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twix Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 BD, I can't even imagine the stress level you are experiencing via what you do. Wait a minute, I used to go on six month long cruises with the US Navy, maybe I do have at least a clue. Give yourself a break, rise above the petty crap, you know you are better so let it slide. I know it's hard, let it slide anyway. If you can keep your cool it will pass and then you will be back in the drivers seat. You are going to flip when you get back. Atlanta is unbelievable. And so close to home. We've got a cool new shooter to practice with us too. We are your friends and we are still here. See you soon, Tom Bergman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 One of my informal (but extremely valuable) de facto coaches recently said, "If you don't like the sight picture you're seeing, wait until you DO before you squeeze the trigger." That extra split-second of mastery and control will certainly improve your score... and improve your patience to accept nothing less than your highest standard of performance. And keep you from being ticked off. The flip side of that is that some people keep waiting and waiting for a "perfect" sight picture that never comes. Then they will inevitably miss while trying to hold the gun absolutely still. I saw a lot of this in a Louis Awerbuck class last August. Waiting too long is as bad if not worse than not waiting long enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 Brian says, in the book, that you should use the fraction of a second it take for the sights to settle on target...to relax behind the gun. (not an exact quote from the book..going from memory here) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 Oh, I don't have to wait very LONG to find the sight picture I need... just that all-important extra fraction of a second. You know, the sight picture you see when you quit rushing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now