Thought for today "Lighten your MENTAL LOAD"

Lighten your load!
When packing your golf (shooting) bag for your next golf (shooting) adventure consider lightening the load. No, I am not talking about taking less golf balls (shells) or leaving the rain suit behind; you need to reduce the weight of emotional baggage. Emotional baggage has ruined many golf (trap) shots and can slow down your progress for improvement. Consider leaving unreasonable expectations, fear and complacency behind. Unreasonable expectations are probably the number one reason most golfers (shooters) feel frustrated with their game.
You cannot compare your game to anyone's but your own. (Your greatest competition stands in your shoes!)
Many golfers (shooters) are frustrated when their game is not as good as or not better than someone they are playing with. Enjoy the company of those you play golf (shoot) with and measure your game based upon your own personal journey. Did you play by the rules? Were you a good playing partner? Did you leave the course (field) in as good shape or better shape than you found it? Are you a good sport? These are just as important as your score and will be remembered by others long after the round is over.
Fear is another heavy weight we carry around the golf course (trap field). For some it is fear of failure, for others it is the fear of success. Either way, fear can weigh you down. Thoughts about "what if I miss this shot or if I make this putt (shot) are projecting you into the future. Thoughts such as "I always" miss the fairway or ( I always miss a straightaway") , throws us back to the past. Staying present with each shot, playing one shot at a time, will help you play your best golf (trap). Whenever you hear any of these sound tracks playing in your head, the quickest way to change the channel is to take a deep breath and re-focus on the shot at hand. The past is past, the future is unknown. This shot, this moment in time, giving it your best effort, is all that really matters. The next item to toss out of your new and improved golf (shell) bag of tricks is complacency. Push yourself ever so gently toward improvement. Instead of looking at your high score as a sign of failure why not consider it a roadmap to success? How did that score occur? How many fairways (targets)did you hit compared to miss? How many times were you on the green (running the trap) in regulation
compared to not? When you had an unexpected outcome how did you react? Work with your local PGA Golf (Shooting Coach) Professional to determine your weakest link. Together you can work on an improvement plan and before you know it, it will no longer be a liability for you and may even become your strongest asset. ' The goal, in my opinion, is to enjoy playing the great game of golf (Shooting).
Experience the wonder of the game, take in the beautiful surroundings and
appreciate the break from the pressures of life. Make this your year to
leave the baggage behind.
Edited from an article by a lady golf professional
but fits our shooting sport as well.
Entries in parenthesis are my additions to fit our game.
Written by: Karen Bukowski, LPGA, PGA,
Golf Professional, Harbor Ridge Golf Course

 

As you can see if you read the above thru, The "game" is far more mental then normally considered. Just as in golf, shooting needs the same level of concentration shot after shot. Clear your mind & concentrate entirely on your next shot. Play by the rules and you will be remembered as a true sportsman.

 

I think this is a great post.It is a point and shoot game.I admire the shooters that can keep their head in the whole event.I takes a lot of concentration for a winning score.I think this is the reason that on some days we seem to shoot better. Windy conditions and different backgrounds just effect the shooters that think about it and not the targets.
As we age we have a shorter attention span and our minds tend to wander a little. Ever think about something else when you are shooting,I have..That is why I sometimes miss the first target out.

 

I enjoyed the read.

Thanks