Developing a Shooter’s Mentality

Some performers have learned to gain confidence even after failure.

Often called a Shooter’s Mentality, the view that good things will follow success and failure is shared among the best performers in every field, even though it isn’t perfectly rational.

The idea that any setback or miss actually brings the performer closer to success defies statistical probability but is nonetheless the hallmark of great shooters.

Statistics would also suggest that a successful shot has nothing to do with making the next shot, but great shooters believe the opposite.

They live with two mottos in their heads: “Whenever I miss, it tells me I’m due to make the next shot,” and “Whenever I score, I’m on a streak to score again.”

A Shooter’s Mentality suggests that misses or failures should be viewed as a temporary precursor to future success, while scores or successes should be interpreted as evidence that more success will soon follow.

The science may not agree, but it does confirm that the increased confidence produced by a Shooter’s Mentality has a positively profound effect on performance.

All great shooters in any arena (investments, sales, negotiation, decision-making, laboratory research) and in any sport (archery, hockey, soccer, basketball, sporting clays) incorporate this powerful mentality.

Paradoxically, they become more confident with each missed shot, having convinced themselves that success will likely follow failure. And when they make a shot, they are certain it is the beginning of a successful streak or pattern.

Like all beliefs and attitudes, a Shooter’s Mentality is a decision. A performer either insists on holding this belief, regardless of the facts, or they don’t. The choice is theirs.

The best performers make an internal commitment to maintain this mentality in everything they do. They ignore any evidence to the contrary. And this gives them an edge.

A Shooter’s Mentality doesn’t allow room for the doubts and negative self-talk more average performers suffer from, especially after a miss or failure.

The science tells us past performance does not dictate future performance any more than one coin flip predicts the outcome of the next toss. But great shooters would beg to differ.

Because confidence is both fragile and fickle, they have developed a Shooter’s Mentality to protect themselves against self-doubt. This self-belief boosts confidence and aids in execution. Imagine what it might do for you.

Perhaps it is time for you to commit to this irrational mindset. Being logical doesn’t always lead to the best performance. Sometimes, you just have to believe.