Thinking Man's Corner

Article By: Leo H.

If you have an interest in researching the concept of mental training and how it helps your firearms training, I’d suggest starting by reading “With Winning in Mind” by Lanny Bassham. Most of what I write below was liberated from either that source or the book, “Secrets of Mental Marksmanship – How to Fire Perfect Shots” by Linda K. Miller and Keith A. Cunningham. If you then develop an interest in the concepts of “Mental Management™,” you should also consider Bassham’s online training which is available at mentalmanagementcourses.com.

I’ve written before of the need to have a plan when setting off to the range. Many folks forget to pack the most important tool they’ll need when preparing for their trip. They give very little thought to the mental side of shooting and, so, fail to perform at a high level or with any hope of consistency. Winners expect to excel and they prepare for it. Losing requires little preparation.

When thinking of shooting, consider this statement made by former professional baseball player Jim Wohlford (oftentimes, the quote is attributed to Yogi Berra), “Ninety percent of this game is half mental.” What does this mean and how is it applicable to shooting?

To me, the physical side of shooting involves supporting and gripping the weapon… lifting the gun into the “firing plane…” finding an acceptable sight picture… and effectively manipulating the trigger. The mental side analyzes the need to draw the weapon… aim the weapon… shoot the weapon… along with all the refining elements of applicable shooting fundamentals. The brain is constantly processing input from all available senses, then making determinations of how hard to grip the gun… what sight picture is actually acceptable with regard to the existing threat and available target… how fast should the trigger be manipulated… how many shots need to be fired… when to shoot… when to stop… and so much more.

Maybe the “Yogism” of, “Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical.” would be the better quote.

What, then, does that mean to us? Obviously, the physical manipulation of the weapon itself remains the same each time the weapon is fired. What changes is the mental processing of circumstances and requirements about each shot that is fired. In essence, we are writing and re-writing the “program” necessary to fire accurate shots until the incident has been resolved to our satisfaction or we have lost and are no longer able to mentally participate in the encounter. Conversely, if we are not mentally agile from the start, we will find ourselves behind the time curve; unable to sufficiently process enough data to even begin to fight.

Perhaps we can agree information will be processed by both the conscious and subconscious mind. Here, I’ll define the conscious mind as our awareness of what is happening in the present moment. The subconscious mind then stores of all accessible information. Subconscious recall is initiated by a conscious “trigger.” And so, we see in order to initiate a trained response, the conscious and subconscious must be programmed to work together toward a common acceptable goal.

Have you ever heard the term, “paralysis by analysis?” The more data we require before we make a decision, the longer it will take us to react.  It would stand to reason, the mental side of shooting must not be so cumbersome as to lead us to failure before we can initiate success. While it is important to make the right decision, we must possess the ability to react quickly enough to efficiently resolve the situation.

Studies suggest the conscious mind processes information at the rate of 2000 bits of information per second with responding impulses traveling at a speed of approximately 100-150 miles per hour. On the other hand, the subconscious mind processes information at a rate of approximately 400 billion bits of information per second and responds at speeds upwards of 100,000 miles per hour. Obviously, when you are involved in a life or death situation where time is at a premium, quicker is better.

Ever wondered why you have a tendency to shoot low on the target at 25 yards? You are worried about the shot you’re about to take. You want to visually confirm you have fired a good shot. The “program” you write includes a quick visual confirmation of shot placement before the target turns away. The “On button” is your trigger press. You hear the bang. You look at the target. You can’t find the shot. Why?

Your subconscious just pushed the gun out of the way (100,000 miles per hour) before the bullet exits the barrel (950 feet-per-second). See the sight twice. The shot will be there when you score the target at the end of the course.

Conscious mind processing of events as they occur will happen. How much you really need to “think” about before you act can reduced through efficiently and effectively training. Perfect training writes the program accessed by the subconscious when it senses the “on-button” has been pressed. This program can run to your benefit… or not.

The subconscious does not possess the ability to determine whether its selected action is right or wrong… it just does. The conscious mind then makes a real time evaluation of the need to continue and either keeps the on-button pressed or stops the program from running.

The program, “Bad Guy… Shoot!” can be good or bad. You might properly fire an accurate shot under extreme conditions if sufficient training has previously taken place. You could also “freeze” in place if you don’t properly process all existing data and have never experienced a similar event in order to build confidence in your ability to properly function. You may run away as the incident overwhelms you. Sufficient repetition of appropriate response is required in order to fashion specific action under critical stress.

One of the guiding principles of Mental Management™ is that self-image and performance are always equal. If you don’t believe you are capable of a particular performance… you won’t be. Fortunately, your self-image cannot differentiate between reality and imagination. In essence, unless an action is actually physically impossible, your belief in your ability to perform a task is generally sufficient to see it through to its proper execution provided you have the required tools and enough understanding of their operation. “Seeing” yourself correctly performing a particular task through mental imaging drills (visualization) can be extremely beneficial.

Balancing the conscious, subconscious and self-image will result in good performance. Creating a mental program which, when pictured in the conscious mind, will trigger the subconscious to do an appropriate action is our goal. Always thinking of our capabilities in a positive manner will reinforce acceptable performance, on demand.

Like the roots of a tree, our experiences nurture our ability to grow. The higher the quality of nourishment… the stronger and more consistent the growth.

“Only one thing registers in the subconscious mind: repetitive application – practice. What you practice is what you manifest.” – Fay Weldon

Semper Optimum!