Repetition can be a good thing.

If you follow my work, hardwiring is a word you are likely familiar with. It’s how I describe systems and behaviors that are in place to create consistency. Hardwiring is a good thing. Yet, it doesn’t mean that what we hardwire stays in place forever.

Dan Collard and I wrote the book Rewiring Excellence: Hardwired to Rewired on this subject. When we rewire, we don’t change what is working. We take a fresh look at results, and, when needed, we rewire actions. Rewiring is harder than the initial hardwiring. It means adjusting or stopping actions that are entrenched in a person or a system. Rewiring, like hardwiring, requires repetition.  

Has someone ever told you they’ve never heard something when you know they have? This happens because a person usually needs to hear or read something more than once before it sticks. This is sometimes referred to as the “3-5 Rule.” The initial hearing or reading leads to the brain’s registering the information. Next time they hear or read it, it starts to be more recognized. It is not till the third to fifth time that understanding starts to kick in. 

The sixth time transitions into what many communication experts refer to as the “Rule of 7.” Most people need 7-10 repetitions to recall and remember what was heard or viewed. With more complex skills and/or ideas, the number of repetitions needed moves to 11-20 times. This is called “spaced repetition.”

Repetition is important because of how the brain works and how learning occurs. I know from a program I am involved in with infants–called Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community–that repetition is the key to strengthening neural pathways. It improves the memory, and knowledge moves from short-term to long-term.

A few tips:

1. Summarize. Cover the topic you hope the person learns, cover the content, and repeat (sum up) what you hope they leave with.  

2. Don’t get frustrated if people don’t remember to do things right away. It takes repetition.

3. Keep repeating–even if some say they have heard it before–until the outcomes are achieved. I still operate companies. We provide leader skill-building as a group every quarter and other development sessions in between. One of the questions asked post-session is, “What are you going to stop doing based on the session?” A frequent response is that people will stop using we/they language in explaining actions to others. A few people who are part of the company ask why we/they behavior keeps being covered. The answer is that we will cover it until it is stopped.

4. Consider the number of new people in an organization who may be hearing or reading something for the first time. The first three tips are all impacted by the experience level of the workforce. There are usually people who are hearing or reading something for the first time.

In Precision Leader Development, the formula N=1 is used. This is a statistical term meaning each person is an individual. Some people will need more repetition than others. However, all will usually need some repetition. 

Repetition is a powerful learning behavior. Keep repeating until the outcome you want takes place. In recovery we say, “Keep coming back till the miracle happens.” 

Now, let me repeat myself: Thank you for reading my work. I am grateful.

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Quint Studer is the author of 16 books on leadership in the workplace and the community. His book “Building a Vibrant Community” is a valuable resource for civic leaders, business owners, and all citizens who have a stake in building a community. He can be reached at Quint@QuintStuder.com.