Mindset...

[Webbj0219]

A mod on here has the sig line

mindset, skillset, toolset. In that order

. Ive been thinking about this a great deal lately. Trying to find ways to build my mindset. I was thinking of kinda trailblazing a training program building off the concept of that sig line. Maybe breaking these three catagories up into three phases of training? Not sure if this is original? Ive never heard it laid out quite exactly in this way. Say maybe training my mindset first for a few months or years or how ever long it takes. This would be a sort of foundation for the rest of the self defense training. Finding ways to grow so I live my everyday life in an SD mindset. Then when thats done focus on the next phase, skillset. This would entail range time, developing accuracy and speed. Kinda what most ppl think of when it comes to firearms training. Then the final stage would be toolset. This phase entails things like 9mm vs. 45, or what has better stopping power hollow points or lead wadcutters, etc...? I know noobs usually want to start with this third and final phase. I know, I was a noob once and that was my focus. Now that Ive gained some wisdom in this I see that it should be in the reverse order. Someone that learns these three phases in the wrong order might turn out to be a loose cannon, a good gangbanger, or gunfighter. But not necessarily a responsibly armed citizen.

So I figured I would start a thread specifically for tips on building the mindset, in this context. Hoping People can contribute some valueable tips and formulas. Maybe recommend a good book, but I want to try and keep the focus on systems the other forum members use in their daily lives. Things they have experience with. Or examples of a certain mindset that they had and how it got them outa trouble. I like the idea of the color code system discused already on this forum in detail. Maybe training tips for some of the younger people that attend this forum that cant legally carry yet, but could still benefit from the right attitudes. And when they do get old enought to carry then they will be ready at that point to get into the skillset and toolset levels, already having a head start on their training? Also the right mindset will keep most safe if they are armed or not. Ive seen examples of this. Like the demonstration of how when criminals are looking for a mark they look for easy prey and avoid those who keep their chin up and carry themselves with confidence.

If anyone could post personal experiences or links to other threads that go over proper mindsets, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanx

 

[Frank Ettin]

Three good books to start with would be The Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper, In the Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob, and Lessons From Armed America by Kathy Jackson and Mark Walters.

 

[mljdeckard]

You need to have a willingness to accept that you will change. After ten years of carrying, you will look at the world differently. You will live your life around a defensive plan, not plan your defense around your life.

When you walk into Denny's, you will start to notice who you can see, as well as who can see you. You will make a note of where the back door is. When you see events that are intriguing, like a cluster of suspicious people doing something suspicious, your sense of preservation will overcome curiosity and make you walk away.

You will start to see everyday situations in the light of what you will have to do to save your life if something bad happens. (With an emphasis on making sure you aren't in a position to get cornered and have to use deadly force at all.)

All of the changes will not be obvious. In many cases you will only realize long after the fact that you have changed.

 

[Fred Fuller]

We are all students in perpetuity, and we will never become complete masters of the art. As trainer Louis Awerbuck says, "The state of the art is a moving target."

Tom Givens has good lectures available on DVD and CD which cover both Cooper's Principles and the Color Code. See http://www.rangemaster.com/ and click on the red Books & DVDs button on the top right of the front page. Those plus a copy of the book Principles of Personal Defense ( http://shop.paladin-press.com/product/772/Jeff_Cooper ) are a good starting point IMHO.

I also depend on John Farnam as well. A good bit of his philosophy is concentrated in the essay at http://www.defense-training.com/quips/2003/19Mar03.html .

Skip Gochenour is an invaluable resource IMHO, and I consider myself fortunate to have attended a session of his lecture on legal principles in the use of deadly force, the notes for which are archived at http://www.teddytactical.com/archive/MonthlyStudy/2006/02_StudyDay.htm . The lecture ran about two hours with slides, which are not included here, but at least the gist of it is available. I believe we must achieve a personal moral high ground in order to be able to react against an unprovoked attack with the ruthlessness a successful outcome requires. This lecture does much to set the stage for achieving that moral high ground.

I'd suggest you follow the link below to more Boyd material that's available on the web. Boyd's work is the basis of those three words, and an understanding of the OODA loop is critical as well. Boyd was a gunfighter at heart, it just happened that his guns were carried on a fighter aircraft.

Those are the main sources I depend on at this point, I hope you find them useful as well.

lpl

 

[uspJ]

i would also suggest the gift of fear by gavin debecker. i saw many posters here recommend it and i picked it up for myself recently. learn to trust your gut instincts, learn behavioral tricks and traits of predators and how to avoid them. add these to your situational awareness and i believe you will have a great foundation for a sd mindset.

 

[JoeSlomo]

So I figured I would start a thread specifically for tips on building the mindset

Another term for "mindset" is "will".

A criminal has the will to break the law, and threaten or use violence, to meet his goal. On the other hand, not many folks have the will to challenge said criminal. They would rather oblige the criminal than face possible injury or death. While this may make sense when a criminal has the drop on you, and there ain't much you can do, it makes NO sense whatsoever when they don't, OR when you outnumber the criminal.

A proper mindset recognizes the fact that YOU are as much of a threat to a criminal, as he is to anybody else.

Contrary to popular belief, criminals are NOT the only individuals capable of using violence to meet their goals. I WANT to live, and I WILL live if some dirtbag threatens me with violence, because I will do what it takes to make it happen.

Along with an acceptance of ones lethality, comes acceptance of the fact that some folks are just plain dirtbags. The ability to anticipate and look for potential dirtbags is another part of a good mindset. You are FAR more likely to find threatening criminal dirtbags in the ghetto than you would be in a rural area. Appearances can be deceiving, however, they can also be indicative of moral character. If it looks like a duck, treat it as such until it is proven otherwise.

Lastly, a proper mindset understands that potential conflict is inevitable, and that it is best to prepare for the event beforehand. This means proficiency with firearms, and confidence in your ability to use them when needed to defend you and yours.

Develop a proper mindset by:

1. Training. Seek formal training if you need to.
2. Fighting. Join a fight club / martial studio if you have never been in a physical confrontation.
3. Thinking. The only reason criminals succeed is because they are allowed to...

 

[Khyron]

I also depend on John Farnam as well. A good bit of his philosophy is concentrated in the essay at http://www.defense-training.com/quips/2003/19Mar03.html .

Wow what a great site! Been reading the other "quips". Good stuff!

 

[wishin]

i would also suggest the gift of fear by gavin debecker. i saw many posters here recommend it and i picked it up for myself recently. learn to trust your gut instincts, learn behavioral tricks and traits of predators and how to avoid them. add these to your situational awareness and i believe you will have a great foundation for a sd mindset.

+1 Excellent advice.

 

[Webbj0219]

Thanx guys for all the material. may take a bit for me to go through it. Maybe discuss some of the material here later. I have read Massad Ayoob, Gravest Extreme. That was a very good book, taught me about some of the consequences of a SD shooting.

 

[USAFRetired]

One place I've started with my kids in this regard is to "Get the iPod out of your ears and your eyes / fingers off the cell phone!" (i.e. Be aware of your suroundings)

Limited sucess so far.