The Beginner Mindset
When you get your PAL in the mail…
“Cool. They trust me.” You’re probably feeling pretty good when that licence arrives. You’ve made it through the training, testing, and application process. It’s finally time to get out shooting!
Some of you already have experience. But many don’t.
For those new to shooting, it’s important not to confuse those feelings with thinking a couple of courses made you an expert. If that’s you, go to a range and take a shooting stall next to someone with years of experience. Keep an eye on them and we guarantee you’re going to realize you don’t know what you don’t know.
“How do I get that good?”
We love that question. And realizing you don’t know what you don’t know is exactly what’s going to make you good. It means you’re on your toes, thinking about how to improve, and thinking about practice. Bringing the mindset of constant practice and constant improvement to the range is crucial. There are no shortcuts.
You now need to put thousands of rounds through each firearms in your collection to become competent with each - and more to become expert. There is no shortcut to becoming an experienced shooter. You just need two things: experience and training.
Both will become available to you as you practice and explore the world of shooting.
How can I know I’m making progress?
Keep a log book. If you shoot a hundred rounds through, let’s say, your revolver, write down the date and number of rounds. Keep any notes you had about the condition of the firearm, how it felt to shoot, and record thoughts you had about how to improve for next time. Over time your log book is your progress on paper. If you are wondering if you’re improving, look to your log.
Your log book is also useful if you decide to sell your gun later. Just like a selling a car, it’s helpful to know a gun’s mileage.
Seek training: there are lots of courses to take and they can be a lot of fun. Ask at your range how you should go about developing your skills. They’ll have idea. Maybe it’s IPSC, for one example.
Competition: another way to challenge yourself is to compete. There’s no harm in giving it a shot. They can be a lot of fun and can really keep in perspective how your skills are developing.
I’m worried about looking like a beginner
Don’t let your fear of looking bad outweigh your love for shooting. Everyone has to start somewhere. There’s no shame whatsoever in starting to build a skill for the first time.
If other people are making you feel bad for learning — well, think about finding people who love learning and teaching. That’s who we hope you find when you’re out there exploring the world of shooting.
Wild Duck Shooting, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Museum of American History, Division of Graphic Arts, Smithsonian Institution, ca. 1837