Goals – Repetition
Quotes
Repetition is the mother of skill – Tony Robbins
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit – Will Durant
The eight laws of learning are explanation, demonstration, imitation, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition – John Wooden
Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment – Zig Ziglar
Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality – Earl Nightingale
Quotes courtesy of azquotes.com
Abstract
A clock is the perfect representation of the power of repetition. That hour hand goes round 24 times, 365 days in a year. It constantly shows the time and guides us on what activities we need to perform. It’s relentless in it’s performance and function. That’s the power of repetition.
Repetition is termed as the mother of any skill or endeavour. This truism or fact should not be taken lightly. Intentional practice and repetition is a very powerful tool used by masters in any profession, trade, skill or sport. Endless drills are repeated until they get imprinted in the subconscious of the individual.
Learning
As a follow up to the Momentum article I am delving to it’s sister ‘repetition’ .Every champion started as a novice and beginner. We were all not born walking and had to crawl at some stage in our lives.
This is the one beauty about children they do not know they are supposed to be ashamed or give up easily when they fail at their first attempts to walk. They keep on crawling and eventually they start clasping onto objects as they attempt to take their first walk in life.
They will eventually take the first step and fall, the second step and fall down, the third step and fall down but after more attempts after a few days they will eventually start walking without falling.
The same analogy can be used for any goals or skills we are trying to learn. We will always stumble at the first few attempts of any endeavour. This is where the learning curve is steep. If we keep on trying and attempting to learn the skill we will eventually pick it up.
Unfortunately when we grow older our friends, peers and society begin judging and casting labels on us. They cast labels such as slow learner, challenged individual etc. This has a detrimental effect on very many individuals and we cease trying to master skills if we encounter obstacles and fail at our first few attempts
Persistence
We need to develop thick skins and keep on going. We need to learn how to forge ahead and master the vital, critical few skills that are required to propel us ahead. The key phrase is to ‘NEVER GIVE UP’. Keep on trying, ask yourself why you failed to reach the goal in the first or second attempt.
Do you need to learn a different tactic, make a variation on existing tactics or pivot towards another branch in another different field? Without these continual attempts you will not be able to break out and reach your goals.
Practice, practice and practice again. Repetition is the mother of all skills. This is why we have drill sergeants and instructors in the military. Their key task is to drill the necessary skills into the recruits.
They do this by never ending repetition and ceaseless practice sessions until the recruits have it drummed in to their conscious and sub conscious minds.
What the Big Guns Do
The best corporations value training and do not give it only cursory attention. They will identify key core areas and skills that all employees need to have and will ensure these skills are repeatedly drummed into the employees to ensure they have them pat down.
They also understand that repetition and ceaseless practice of the fundamentals gives them a competitive advantage over rivals. They identify areas which are core to their survival and growth examples are sales, product quality, customer service, collections and cost control.
These are the non negotiable areas and standards they instil in their employees as they carry out their daily duties.
The best of the best even go further and refine their core areas into one skill they are reknown for in the market. This can be sales, customer service or product quality. They will ensure they lead the industry in this area and push the envelope to ensure they master one skill set above the rest.
They will not stop at anything to ensure constant and never ending improvement in this area. Mc Donald’s is known for fast service, Starbucks product quality, Addidas- product quality, Coca Cola for it’s branding and advertising acumen , Mercedes Benz – Product Quality. One aspect usually stands out of the crowd of competitors and this is where these companies plant their defensive and offensive line.
Mastery
Skill mastery is essential. This is what us what differentiates human beings over other animals. We have the capacity to learn and create. A learning mindset is key to thriving in society. The champions are always learning new skills. Warren Buffet devotes 80% of his time to reading books throughout the day.
Bill Gates does the same thing he is an avid learner and reader. The best of the best are voracious learners and are always learning new skills, attempting different ventures and constantly pushing the envelope.
Goal attainment is therefore not rocket science. Model the best it has been done before and the path has been laid out. We live in exciting times we cannot let our fear of ridicule hold us back as we attempt to achieve our greatest dreams and desires.
Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it
to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic
but I had to tell someone!
Thanks for the humour. I laughed, I thought you were sharing a poem for one moment. It’s good to go off topic at times and enjoy these humorous moments. I hope your child only got a slight pinch and she’s better 🙂
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Thanks for the compliment
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Thanks for the compliment