Knowing how to differentiate these two concepts is key when competing in any sport. We will define each one of them separately and then we will expose them giving the right approach to the subject that concerns us, which will help us draw some conclusions.
- Attitude: It is the way of acting, the predisposition to do something, our behavior.
- Aptitude: It is the capacity that a person has to develop an activity properly.
We can not confuse these two terms because, in essence, they are completely different. It is not the same to act with attitude, that to act with aptitude, we can have very good will but nevertheless not to possess the necessary qualities to be able to do it. Although different, attitude and aptitude are closely related concepts, reverberating indistinctly one over the other, fact by which they have to live together in a mutual way. The main difference between them is that condition is acquired and attitude is had.
Usually, when we get on a new activity we usually do it with enthusiasm, with desire, we feel motivated and this is reflected in our attitude, which will be reinforced as we make progress. This is because the attitude is positively feedback as long as there is progress and on the other hand it diminishes when not doing so.
In our first steps, we make a starting course to know the sport and its rules, we perform basic safety exercises, etc. fundamentally this process is developed as expected and in a relatively easy way until the day comes to our first competition, that’s where we see our shortcomings, we think how easy it seemed when you see it on video and how different it is now. The symptoms that appear are nerves, flushing, agitation, uncertainty, among others. The fact of not possessing the necessary skills to achieve good performance makes our confidence fall to unthinkable limits and we may even get to stay blank in the exercise, we forget what we had to shoot or what was the way forward so the only challenge in this our first championship is to try not to be disqualified. A conscious thought that is, although it may seem exaggerated, the most appropriate in a situation of this kind.
As we train, we improve our skills and are able to perform correctly in the stages by combining different technical aspects instinctively because our subconscious is able to work autonomously. How to be achieved? By carrying out the drills repetitively, in this way we internalize the techniques and can perform with greater spontaneity and dexterity which was difficult for us to carry out. Through this process our aptitudes are born and they will be developed as our training progresses.
Attitude is very important, but in order to compete we must find out what our aspirations are, and we must know the reason why we practice this sport, whether we do it for personal satisfaction, fun or have a specific goal. It is obvious that the motive will influence our attitude and this will condition our aptitude.
For someone who competes, attitude is the engine that keeps us motivated to train and keep improving, although it is true that many times the attitude is not enough. What happens when we fail to improve our performance? Our aptitude stucks, consequently we lose motivation and our attitude to train, is a chain. Well, the key is to improve our skills through continuous
learning, so sometimes it is necessary to see our shortcomings and improve them, modify our routines or find more efficient training systems. All this helps to find the balance that makes our chain keep turning and getting bigger and bigger until reaching excellence as shooters.