Growing up in the business world I often hear people talk about the ‘KISS’ principle which most people interpret as ‘Keep It Simple Stupid’. The origins of this principle can be traced back to the US Navy some sixty years ago. As a new leader in supply chain, I have made my mission to make the most complex things simple because if they are simple, people can understand them, and therefore they can execute what needs to be done. In listening to Tony Robbins recently on a podcast while interviewing Sara Blakely he said “Complexity is the enemy of execution.” It was not a new statement or concept, but I had not heard it summarized in this fashion before. However, it did re-emphasize a point I have made recently with some people I have been working with; you need to focus on the basics.
There are several blog posts focusing on the basics or as we commonly refer to them as fundamentals of shooting. I won’t belabor this article with these basics, but I do want to reinforce a point. When you are looking to make enhancements or if you are troubleshooting, only change one thing at a time. This is a novel concept I learned in my 9th grade chemistry class. If you change more than one thing at a time you will not know if it was one change that made the difference, the second thing or the combination of both changes. Change one thing at a time and take the complexity out of the troubleshooting equation. This goes for gear you are using to methods of shooting. If you want to try new ammo, try new ammo. Do not try new ammo, new magazines, with your new Tandemkross Victory Trigger all at once. One at a time. Oh, and if things are working well, maybe spend more time on your shooting method and leave the gear alone. You know who you are.
As someone who takes the shooting sports serious, you may be looking to get better. I know I do. Every time I go to the range I have a purpose, a goal I want to get out of the session and I write it down. Last night I went to the range to work on my handgun shooting. The issue I have been facing is I have a tendency to take my eye off the dot/front sight as I start to pull the trigger. My eyes are cutting to the next target before the cartridge has been struck by the firing pin. I started my training session with going one for one on the place rack – 8” plates at 11 yards. I kept my eyes right where they should be and I started off just over 2 seconds and by the 5th string I was just under 2 seconds from the low-ready. As I transitioned to Roundabout my method focus paid off with a first string of 1.90 and last three strings in the 1.6s. Focusing on one thing can really pay off while you are training. Too much complexity muddies the performance waters.
See you out on the range soon!
Steve
Steve Foster - Competitive Shooter 