Another way to Measure Success

Posted On: 04-20-2024

I have heard this many times, “I broke 18 out of 25.”  This usually follows with, “

Last week I broke 20.”  Or “I cannot get past 15 targets.”  Over time one gets obsessed with the number of targets hit but fail to rationalize the change or patterns that exist in their shooting.  As well the number provides no scale for improvement. 

For me spending a career in education the idea of measuring performance was of course central to each semester.  A student goes through each semester earning numbers (scores) for each activity required.  In the end, the number is no longer provided and instead a letter grade is recorded.  We all have an idea of what each letter means and at the beginning of the semester I would provide a scale like this:

A = 90 – 100%

B = 80 – 90%

C = 70 – 80%

D = 60 – 70%

Below 60% is not passing. 

In academics you take the course again same as youth shooting.  The big difference is a re-take is continuous in shooting and more likely terminal in academics.  So, bear with me as I present another way to assess your shooting. Think of it this way:

25/25 = 100%

24/25 = 96%

23/25 = 92%

22/25 = 88%

21/25 = 84%

20/25 = 80%

Not sure I need to go further but think about this, for every target you break you gain 4% or 4 times each target is your percentage i.e., 20 targets hit is 80%.  As you improve give yourself the benefit of earning those 4 percentage points for each target hit.  Station I 4/5 is 80%.  Station II 3/5 is 60%.  Go forward thinking about earning 4 points not just one target hit.  Make the shooting more of a percentage than just the number of targets hit and work towards becoming a high percentage shooter of which you set the definition. 

Make a goal to move from a 70% shooter to an 80% shooter.  Not sure but I hope you see the difference between percentage and a number.  Not so much that your goal is to shoot 22/25 targets, but instead you are working to shoot at 80% or higher.  If you push your goal to 90% or higher I can assure you when achieving this your podium opportunities will increase.  Look back and say it was never about just a target but more about getting oneself to another level of achievement.  Finally, set a goal to sustain your level of shooting by scoring above 80% or above 90%. 

As a last comment there is that elusive 100% out there that of course we want to achieve but is it realistic that we can achieve that goal.  Did we practice, improve, gain mental focus and concentration that all led up to being a 100% shooter?  If not don’t dismiss that goal, but rather think about how close you are getting by shooting 70% then 80% then 90% all the way to perfection.

David R.Vaught, Ph.D.

Executive Director