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Reach for the Sky

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Imagine that you are going clay pigeon shooting tomorrow with a group of key clients, prospects and work colleagues.  Pause and picture the scene in your mind – then read on.

 

It’s going to be a great opportunity to network, have some fun and show how well you can shoot.  Now – stay with me on this – whether you’re an experienced shot or you’ve never been clay pigeon shooting before, this scenario is going to help you.

 

From when you arrive at the venue to when you start shooting, both you and your colleagues are going to experience a range of feelings that will affect how well you perform.

 

As the targets fly by at 60 mph or faster, watch what people are doing as they try to hit them.  If you are an accomplished shot, you know that to hit the target you need to concentrate and focus on it.  If you are a novice or relatively inexperienced, you will need to be careful not to rush the shot.

 

Now, you might say: “It doesn’t matter if I miss the target.”  But be honest – would you rather hit or miss?  So don’t make excuses before you start.  You can do your best and, with a few tips, you can perform to the peak of your ability – and enjoy yourself.

 

If you are a complete beginner to clay pigeon shooting, take my advice:

 

Ø       Be safe and shoot with a qualified instructor

Ø       Relax and slow down

Ø       See the target and shoot it

Ø       Be realistic about what you expect from yourself

Ø       Enjoy yourself.

 

You have incredible ability to see the target and instinctively judge its speed and angle of flight.  If you’ve never tried clay pigeon shooting, go and see for yourself.  If you want to, you could become a really good shot.  The success you enjoy will depend on how you improve your skills and your inner mental game.

 

Common mistakes that stop people from hitting their targets include:

 

Ø       Poor preparation

Ø       Using a gun that doesn’t fit them

Ø       A lack of commitment when taking the shot

Ø       Lack of confidence or over-confidence

Ø       Rushing, so not allowing enough time to take a shot

Ø       Incorrect beliefs, prejudgement or assumptions

Ø       Being too tense or sensitive

Ø       Not moving to a better position to make the shot easier

Ø       Wrong timing

Ø       Being influenced by the audience

Ø       Not knowing what to change

Ø       Being defensive and not learning

Ø       Failing to ask the right questions.

 

Take a few moments after the event to review your performance:

 

Ø       What were you thinking at each stage of the shooting?

Ø       How were you feeling at the time?

Ø       How did you react to those feelings?

Ø       What will you change next time?

Ø       What will you gain by succeeding and what does this mean to you?

 

You can always cheat

 

If you want to take up the sport and do well, my best advice to you is to cheat.  Well, by cheating I simply mean go and get some coaching.  A shooting coach will quickly have you hitting targets by giving you a sound process to follow, encouragement, honest feedback and training on the techniques you need.

 

Do exactly what your coach tells you.  You will progress extremely quickly – if you let go of what is holding you back, forgive yourself for your mistakes and keep looking forward to where you want to be.  You will then enjoy the challenge and beat your competitors.  You’ll see.

 

If you are an experienced shot and you want to raise your game, then copy what the best sportspeople do.  A great shot makes every shot count.  When the pressure’s really on, they rely on being exceptional at following their set-up process, the basics.

 

The pro doesn’t just take the shot – they have a pre-shot routine to achieve the harmony of mind, body and focus they need.  If they don’t feel just right, they go back through their routine again and then take the shot.

 

On a great day, when things are going well, it’s almost as if they can’t do anything wrong.  They make it look so easy.  But they practise relentlessly – after all, their living and ambitions are at stake so there’s a lot to play for.

 

Powerful lessons

 

Maybe you don’t have a passion for clay pigeon shooting, but the lessons it teaches us are applicable to other walks of life and, of course, to work.  Your passion for your career in sales is influencing what you achieve – and the human factors that sportspeople contend with are exactly the same as those we contend with in business.

 

So if you are in sales and you want to win more business yourself, or through your team, cheat by taking all the advice and short-cuts you can:

 

Ø       Find the best possible coach to review your performance

Ø       Work with your coach to improve your ‘game’

Ø       Be committed to your success

Ø       Practise and review yourself.

 

To achieve the level of change and achievement you are capable of, face up to issues that you may be avoiding.  If you open up to these, you will find many wonderful opportunities and much value for the taking.

 

Your results and your passion will speak for you.  You have amazing abilities to performance.  OK, so the higher you go, the harder it is to win.  But don’t turn back.  Follow the shooting model and smash your targets.

 

Contributor: Andrew Griffiths is managing director of PSL Business Consultants, which specialises in sales training and performance improvement.  He can be contacted on 0800 634 3399 or visit www.psi-uk.com

 

 

Source: Winning Edge July/August 2009