First, let me say that I don't like missing a target any more than you do. Watching a target sail to it's final resting place intact and untouched is always a bit unnerving and too often gives rise to thoughts of some personal shortcoming. Not my idea of fun and I doubt yours as well.
Most commonly, I see this phenomenon when I am teaching. Missed targets are the catalyst for a host of negative emotions and reactions from my student, none of which by the way are conducive to breaking the next target.
The key problem here is that we judge each success—or failure (a word I don't like)—by whether the bird breaks or not. That's understandable but counterproductive and completely missing the point in terms of building skills.
Here are a few simple suggestions to accelerate your progress and enhance your shooting enjoyment:
1. Let's remember that missing is an integral part of our game. It is inevitable so let's once and for all accept that we can—and will—sooner or later, miss.
2. Don't take missing so personally. You missed the target due to a swing error, not because you are inept, incapable, dense, slow, or any other negative judgments about yourself.
3. When you miss—it's done—it's over. You can choose to mentally stomp all over yourself—OR—you can choose to figure out why you missed and adjust the next shot. Only one of those choices builds your skill level—and reveals your true level of commitment to improve.
4. Before you step into the shooting box, honestly adjust your thinking about a miss. Those who are serious about building their skill level simply do not allow a missed target—or 4—to derail the positive and good things that are taking place in the shooting box.
5. Lastly, skill building is a whole lot easier when one concentrates on what he is doing, not what happens at the target. When a target is missed—find what went wrong—adjust it. Skip all the personal scolding's and watch the shooting and learning process become a whole lot more enjoyable—not to mention you will break more targets, I promise.
