The story goes like this…

Simon’s been at the local tavern a little too long. It’s well after midnight and he’s definitely had a few too many. A storm is brewing and the walk home with his lantern will be a long one. Gloves on, Simon tightens his coat. The narrow path that leads down the mountain will be alongside a few steep cliffs.

Shoving off into the wind, the rain pelts against him like a grudge. Head down, weaving, he stops for a moment to steady himself against the cliff wall on his left. As he gathers himself before taking his next step, his lantern sputters and dies. Fighting darkness and too many brews, his foot slips and a wave of dizziness tilts him over the side of the mountain. Miraculously, a limb catches his coat and stops his fall. Arm over the limb, he desperately cries out for help. Lost in the thunder, no one hears.

The morning comes to a very weary Simon. Looking down confirms his worst fears. Exhausted, he looks up and shouts, “HELP!”

After a long and discouraging silence, a deep, calming voice from above says, “Simon, is that you?”

“OH, thank goodness, YES…it’s me…I’m down here. HELP.”

 Another long pause and the reassuring voice above asks, “Simon…DO YOU HAVE FAITH?”

Simon instantly replies, “OH Yes…I have faith…BELIEVE ME…SIMON HAS FAITH.”

The voice above says, “If you have faith Simon…then let go. 

After a very long calm, Simon says, “Is there anybody else up there?”

The issue here is trust. What is it, exactly, that we trust? I’m asking because we all definitely want that target to break. More than that – we definitely DON’T want to miss. So – will we cave to the “fear of missing” and resort back to our old swing habits which actually will break targets – sometimes?

Not too long ago here, I wrote about how an inconsistent swing can deliver X’s – but not consistently. Unfortunately, those same X’s typically reassure us that we did something right when in fact the X’s were coincidental, an accident. Those targets broke in spite of the swing error(s), misleading us into believing that all went well and, hopefully, we are getting better, which we aren’t. By holding on to that erroneous belief, we are doomed to repeating these invisible errors – sometimes X’s – sometimes 0’s – guaranteeing the continuation of the deception and our scoring plateau.

I’ve often said, I believe a good confirmation is every bit as good as a revelation. Over the last 4 days, I watched The Masters golf tournament and had a learning principle confirmed. A pearl. The golfer being interviewed shared that he’d had to completely rebuild his entire golf game, from the ground up. He said, “Had this rebuilding been dedicated to my learning how to play left-handed, it would have been easier than what I had to do!” Please stop here for a moment and think about this decision and what his undertaking involved.

So let’s get this straight. Here was a young, amateur golfer whose early playing history showed great promise, validated by a series of outstanding accomplishments. A career in the making. Goals were confirmed when he qualified and became a PGA Professional. And it didn’t stop there. Even more great golf followed as he built a reputation for being a serious contender. And that’s when he decided to rebuild his entire game – on purpose. HE DID WHAT?

What he discovered – what he learned – the harsh truth he had to admit to himself – was that his current skills would hold him at his current performance level. A playing level below those ahead of him on the scoreboard. Not because of any lack of motivation or determination, but because of reality, his skill level was below theirs. To raise his skills to their level, changes would have to be made. And then trusted. 2 hard truths – and 2 serious challenges, all to overcome. Which, despite all the enormous difficulties, he did. And he hasn’t been the only one to do this. Others ahead of him (in many sports) had already gone through this grinding process and risen to the skill level necessary to be in the hunt for winning.

The lesson I’m speaking of here is this: if we are truthful about wanting to improve our game – then we simply cannot keep doing the same things we are doing. Making changes won’t be optional. So the question becomes, are we willing to surrender what we are currently doing and let go? Are we willing to move our trust over to changes that promise better performances and more X’s on our scorecard? Are we honestly willing to change what we are doing now – to trust new methods – to add the basics and fundamentals that are missing in our game to build consistency and advance our skill level?

Consider asking yourself the same question Simon was asked. Are you willing to let go and trust? That’s the first and most important step in moving our game up.

Thanks for your time here, it is appreciated. Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course.

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About Dan Schindler

Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses and make their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!  

Dan Schindler's Books

 Yes, Dan's books help you take the MYSTERY out of missing targets and help you quickly learn steps to shoot more CONSISTENTLY!  Order Dan's 3 books NOW!

New Release...Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer...

and is all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.

To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.

Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan' life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer and much more.

A few Facebook comments Dan Schindler's Books:

Don N Lisha Sante Got my three book set. Read book I and can’t put book II down. Can’t wait to apply all I’ve learned tomorrow now that the rains gone.

Steve Powers I got my copy about a month ago. I’ve read it twice, cover to cover & reviewed the sequence of steps multiple times. Good Book.

Jim Butler I've read my copies twice now and it has absolutely picked up my game. Joined a sporting clays league this spring. Increased my top score by 7. Thought them to be expensive at first, but now find them extremely valuable now. 

Thank You !!!

Telford Scott Great book !! Simple steps with great results!!

Randall C. Burl Best investment a shooter could make!

David Parks Received mine yesterday and have one chapter left to read. Can’t wait to get to the range and practice the new techniques I have learned. Now I feel like I have a system to work with instead of shoot and hope.

Bill Fibelkorn Called the number on their website, ( leary of ordering through Facebook posts) and Mr. Schlinder himself answered the phone. One of the most pleasant people I have ever talked to about anything. Whenever I get a chance to get down his way, I am going to get in touch with him to shoot. Got my books this weekend, read the first one and it reminded me of the basics. Just started on the second one, going to keep reading them over and over. The best reading you have for shooting clays.