Fear of Failure and Simple Self-Defense Instruction

Good article with some great advice.

I always try to challenge myself on the range different targets different shooting positions am about to start doing 3 gun competitions

In my 40+ years of firearms usage I have learned a great deal about myself and many people around me from family, to fellow police officers / agents, to my teams (military). I have all of these in my mind (somewhere in there) and they pop into my consciousness as the need arises. I am going to list as many as seem pertinent.

1. If you are going somewhere where you reasonably expect to need a firearm ... WHY?
This of course does not apply to soldiers or LEOs.

2. Can you actually kill another human being? Many (not all) who will immediately say yes, haven't really thought about it beyond theory. In theory anyone can take another's life however when that terrible reality presents itself, they pause to evaluate or hesitate. Hesitation is DEATH. I once heard an excellent description of killing "you are taking away everything they have and everything they will ever have".
To prepare yourself mentally, you must visualize the actions as well as the decision to shoot or not shoot. Never use a firearm to scare someone and you NEVER shoot to wound. If through honest self-evaluation you realize that you cannot kill another human, then DO NOT carry a firearm.

3. It is really difficult to hit someone who is shooting at you. If you are in deadly earnest don't dodge (though crouching can be OK if you have practiced it), just focus on your target and shoot.

4. "Make haste slowly" (USM Wyatt Earp) was as correct in 1870 as it is today. Your reactions (especially if you are well practiced) will be far faster under combat stress than you realize. I have literally seen experienced shooters actually throw their weapons downrange on the draw because they were rushing so much they didn't have a proper grip on their sidearm for the draw.
5. Keep your finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to shoot. This is not a natural gift for anyone. You just practice and practice until it is 2nd nature.

5. Self-defense shooting incidents seldom occur beyond 30 feet/meters. You should be able to hit your target at that range (with practice) without using sights. When you have become familiar with proper grip, trigger pull and can hit your target at least in the 9 ring every time, start practicing "instinct shooting". As you get better (practice every week if at all possible) you will start to be able to "call your shots". Begin this practice at 15 feet increasing the range over time. You will need instruction to get to this point unless naturally gifted.
6. It is a truism that "real life incidents" aren't at all like the shooting range. Generally you are tired, drowsy, unaware, often driving, parking, walking into the house, in the dark and often raining. It will always burst upon you suddenly and unawares and you will seldom if ever have time to think or even obtain a sight picture! [See 2. para 2 & 3]

7. Criminals never worry about where their bullets will end up. You should.

8. "Tunnel vision" really does occur. As you detect a lethal threat, your entire being will focus on that threat to the exclusion of everything else. You must learn to continually scan the area or at least move your eyes around just in case. The "just in case" can be a more dangerous threat closer to you.