Being Self-Taught is Commendable but...

[dgeesaman]

From a cost-benefit point of view, encouraging a rank beginner to invent their own solution to everything is essentially encouraging them to fail. It’s what my former boss called “running blindfolded through the stupid forest”.

It’s only graduates to unconventional and innovative after one gets a basic grasp of conventional.

But then again I’m just quoting common sense. I’ve heard a variety of theories about common sense.

 

[JimSC]

I think the biggest issue with self teaching is you can't fix what you don't know is broken. A coach can watch your trigger finger, your wind flag timing, and while watching you shoot and keep and eye out for flinches, slapping trigger, follow through etc.

Good mentors are few and far in between so last year I purchased a scope cam, leased some video software to slow things down and used a old cell phone to video range conditions, trigger technique, follow through etc. Had to watch about 20 hours worth of tutorials on Youtube to learn the video editing software but I eliminated 95% of my hi/low 25's (flyers) when shooting ARA unlimited. There's more than one way to skin a chicken, sometimes you just gotta think out of the box

 

[jimmymac]

Nice!

 

[Jeff Porter]

Look no further than your GPS on your phone. When you put in a destination it identifies several ways to reach that goal, but it identifies a Best Way. A mentor or some one even a few steps ahead of you on the path is a great help. An equal partner will sharpen your steel but you may end up both going down a rabbit hole.

I am self taught and had some odd routes to reach where I am now. I was smart enough to watch what the good shooters were doing, and see if I could try that too. I read everything I could get my hands on to learn the best ways. It may have made me a better trainer as I have made so many mistakes along the way.