Ahh, the drive for perfection. I'm a recovering perfectionist as well. For me, the key was looking at the numbers and giving myself permission to not achieve 100% (or first place). Comparing other things I used to strive for perfection, I started gauging them like most school grading systems... Giving myself an "A" for anything 90% or over.. Any A+ is just gravy... And then painting that picture on a graph and getting a visual.. Realizing just how far above most others a 90% "A" rating is... knowing that with my desires and competitiveness, that 90% was more likely to be a 93-95% or higher anyway, but giving myself permission and promise to not beat myself up for anything that met that 90% mark. Not sure how many people will be competing, but I'm sure that you would end up in the top percentage of shooters, even if cold for a year... Muscle memory will take over and meet those minimums.. Sometimes even better if we give ourselves permission to relax and enjoy..
I grant you permission to enjoy, (as long as you're not in the bottom 50% cause that would be an "F"), lol
A very intelligent response and I'm not surprised in the least that you give it. Wise words from a wise man.
I spent a lot of time working out how not to be a perfectionist even enlisting some help along the way; I went ok with it and pretty much use a method the same as you describe here. I lapse sometimes, but go ok mostly. It'll be the same in this case.
Since writing this post I have thought about it and am leaning towards a yes answer as I feel the benefit outweighs the loss by far...And I feel the pressure will be acceptable and I'll manage it well, for the right reasons.
I wish we were closer so we could play at it. A couple decades ago I had practiced up with a co-worker to go compete at three gun shoot. He was a crazy good shotgunner, (and I mean crazy good), and well above average with rifle and pistol. Not so much benchrest shooting, but with those shotgun skills, you can imagine how good he was with short to mid-range fast rifle engagement targets as well. He was an avid Duck Hunter at the time with the motto "If if flies, it dies".. Still burnt into my brain, lol. I was and still am just mediocre with Shotgun, but we thought my rifle and pistol combined with his skills would put us into the upper levels. Life happened, and we never got to the competition, moved away and never picked it back up.
Seems one of the more interesting and fun competitions to me though and always had a pull.
Go and bring back pics and video so the rest of us can enjoy through you!
I wish I was awesome with the shotgun but in truth I'm only average. Probably slightly above average I guess. I'm much better with the long gun, which is my thing, and the handgun for sure.
I'll be going to the event. I called my mate tonight and told him. We're catching up Tuesday to talk over the details and get some plans into action. So...Into training I go to get prepared, all done myself of course...I might do a post on the work-up if I get round to it.
Damn it, I feel the tingling sensation of pressure already! 🤣