Can't improve for ever

[cestria]

Just been wondering if there any thoughts on how long you can improve for. As we all strive for a perfect score there is always going to be a point past which you won't get any better, even if it is the perfect score. How do you motivate yourself to keep going? I do know of guy who used to come to our club who give up because he kept getting the club record (believe me it's true).

[Max]

Well - that's a tough one, but maybe it works like this. If you strive always to be better, that is a worthwhile goal. If you expect to end up in a state of perfection, that is unlikely to happen. So somewhere in between is an end point where one has to find the pleasure of simply shooting an arrow well, going to the club and having a good laugh, or entering a competition and coming home happy. Maybe that "somewhere in between" is harder to achieve than the goal of perfection seems to be, but nevertheless it is often forgotten in the race to be the next world champion.

Can we dream - oh yes! But surely not to the point where we see winning as the only outcome?

My feeling is that if you start thinking that the only way to get enjoyment out of anything is constant and measurable improvement, then life is going to be one long hard journey. Maybe what we ought to think is "did I enjoy my day more today and if not - why not?"

[Jerry Tee]

Yes you can keep improving but the amount you improve may be so small that you don't notice it your self.

[Little Miss Purple]

Originally Posted by ruthmc

There is no such thing as 'perfect'.

There is always the potential to do better. And if better doesn't work, try 'different'

Recurve target archery is only a small section of one's shooting options within this sport, so if you keep winning the recurve target champs, try a different bowstyle or shoot field or clout for a change!

Ruth

I'm with you on this one Ruth

[Murray]

Everyone has room for improvement. Whether they choose to continue to put in sufficient effort to attain it, is the point.

Someone who gave up because he had all the club records simply didn't want to go to the next level (county champion, then national champion, then international champion, world record holder... etc.). some people reach a level of attainment they feel is near their peak and then stop as they're afraid to fail to reach the next level.

I knew a guy who'd been Scottish Champion held scottish records, etc. and said he'd done all he wanted to do. Of course he had the potential to move on from there but wanted to do something else with his life!

[bowtecee]

Your friend that quit the club because of perfection should have switched shooting styles and mastered the other types of shooting styles available in archery. Traditional, Freestyle, Freestyle limited, Bowhunter, used with recurves and compounds both. Until you master them all, there is plenty of room for perfection and growth.

Chris

[geoffretired]

Getting better isn't just about getting better scores. It can be, if you want that but it can be other things too. My scores are only slightly better than they were 20 years ago. They are only slightly better than they were last year when I still had TP in a big way.My archery is getting better now, despite the scores saying otherwise. There will come a time possibly when age starts to do more damage than experience can repair. I'm not sure that I will have given up trying to get better though.
If I ever started to get all the arrows in the inner ten, I'd start wanting to get them all touching the cross. Then I 'd want that at longer and longer distances.
I'd better go and practise keeping them all on the boss!

[pyroarch57]

Originally Posted by cestria

Just been wondering if there any thoughts on how long you can improve for. As we all strive for a perfect score there is always going to be a point past which you won't get any better, even if it is the perfect score. How do you motivate yourself to keep going? I do know of guy who used to come to our club who give up because he kept getting the club record (believe me it's true).

Pity, he could have gone on aiming for a world record.

[simon1977]

Quite simply, you stop improving the day you stop trying to improve

[Kae]

Originally Posted by simon1977

Quite simply, you stop improving the day you stop trying to improve

I understand and agree with what your saying. But, the day I stopped trying to improve, is the day I started shooting well.

If that makes any sense i'll eat my own hat (which I don't have )

Kae.