Being Positive

Posted On: 01-25-2026

I know it is difficult to always be positive.  Things corrupt our perception of positivity and when that happens, we emotionally start to become weak.  I say emotionally but would add in that physically we also become weak and both have a direct impact on our ability to hit targets.

So let’s start with the most basic form of positivity and that is simply smiling.  What a personal and team challenge that would be if when one misses, we smile instead of frown.  Sometimes we do smile in the weirdest moments but often that is due to being embarrassed or just not emotionally knowing how to handle the situation.  What I am saying is just take that moment as a positive a grin from ear to ear!  Accept what has happened but more importantly frame yourself for what will happen next – something positive.

Another way to be positive is being complimentary.  No matter how tough or how down someone else might be take that as an opportunity to turn it around into a compliment.  “Ya know I don’t think anyone could have hit that target!”  or as we always say, “I know you will hit the next one.”  So, reach out, and when you do, something will start to happen to you that will most likely move you to my first point and that is a great big smile.

How about this one – be friendly.  Not to just those you know but to everyone.  Say “hello” and “how are you?”  Cross those boundaries from teams, schools, communities and realize how lucky you have the chance to be friendly.  And don’t forget even the smallest amount of friendliness always comes back double.  Hey, think of this – two people smiling together.

One more I would add is accept, embrace, and deal with adversity.  We can’t all be perfect and more times than not we have to walk a path that has obstacles in the way.  Those tough times require one to figure out what they need to do and turn the worst day into the best day.  Some say make lemonade out of lemons.  It was Elbert Hubbard who said in 1909, “A genius is a man who takes the lemons that Fate hands him and starts a lemonade-stand with them.”  Boy oh boy, I bet he never knew how many times it would be said over the years.  I have also read, “When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble, give a whistle!”  You get the point, but in the end once again a turnaround in a bad situation likely will put a smile on your face.

Go forward and be positive, take the time to smile, be complimentary, and work through adversity.  Enjoy the results of being positive as the alternative is no place for successful shooters.