I just had an AHA moment.
I just posted in another thread a point that I feel is worth stressing. I've been an advocate of IDPA training for awhile now. But I think the singular most important thing IDPA teaches us is to broaden our focus to include an awareness of our surroundings. The rules and scenarios are designed to make you think about what is going on around you and what you have to do next. All while shooting accurately and quickly.
It's important to note the differences: we train our shooting fundamentals to be automatic...without thought...because, in a stressful situation, our minds tend to go blank. IDPA trains us to try to keep aware of our situation too.
It doesn't matter how you get this practice but it is important.