Always room to Improve
By K. Dale, Sr. Executive Instructor
Arizona Tactical Defense Training Institute
Human beings are funny things. We will often take a class, read a book, or participate in training to get better at something. However, is this really our intent? “Of course it is”, is the easy answer. Yet, we sometimes are looking for validation or letting our ego get in the way of learning.
Let me tell you a story. I have a friend who used to be a firearms instructor at a very well respected school, as well as a SF operator. He has taken his own time and material, to share knowledge/training on shooting. At first there was a decent turnout; but then people wouldn’t come back. Men were worse than women. Now, you could say he wasn’t any good or people don’t have time, etc. Well, if you are trying to train and improve in shooting; you would make the time. Especially if the training was free. As far as him not being any good; he is. He gave me some pointers and improved my shooting. So what does this story have to do with my question?
It has everything to do with it. The reason some people didn’t come back was because they weren’t there to get better and learn. They were there to get validation that they are good at it. Once they saw they were not as good as the instructor; or as good as they thought they were; they were done with it. EGO & PRIDE. Human beings want confirmation. Human beings have egos and pride. The trick is to not let that interfere with self-improvement. There is always somebody better than you, and there is somebody better than the person who is better than you. Be honest with yourself and put that aside. Listen and honestly try what is recommended and taught, and you will improve. I strive to surround myself with people who are better, smarter, more successful, etc., than me. That’s a great way to learn and grow. I pick up stuff all the time, while hanging out with friends. The key is to be open to it and to know that I truly want to get improve and not just have my ego stroked.
Let me ask a few other questions. How often do you practice shooting offhand only? Or clearing jams? Or the thing that is your weakest point? I’m not saying that you should focus all your time on shooting weak hand only, while on your back and slightly inverted when you can’t hit the target shooting standing up with both hands. You want to be good, and master, the skills that you would statistically need more often. However, if you want to become an overall better gunfighter/shooter, then focusing on your weakest area and making it better is the way to go.
Time for another story. I have very bad hips. I have a rod in one side and the other is the worse of the two. This limits my mobility, though I am working on improving that. So in BJJ, I was having a very hard time with the straight arm lock from the mount and from modified mount (have to open up your hips and swing a leg around). I just couldn’t do it. So I could have skipped the classes when that was the lesson, I could have said that I would just not use that move. However, I attended every class where that was the lesson and I also paid for private lessons to focus only on that. I focused on my weakest move and greatly improved it and in the process improved my overall BJJ skill.
So I am hoping that this article made you think. It’s just you, so no need to play tough or let your ego get in the way. If we drop all the ego and pride and start being honest with ourselves; then we will be surprised at how fast we can improve. The best part? It costs you nothing to consider it.
If you are open and honest with yourself; you will become better. A better shooter, better fighter, better spouse, better person, or whatever you are trying to get better at.