People tend to hate repetition, yet it is extremely valuable in improving productivity.
- When I say the word repetition, what comes to your mind? For many people, it's going to be a feeling of annoyance or boredom. However, repetition is a powerful principle of productivity. We understand that it's necessary for great performers and athletes to repeat. They practice again and again until they reach automatic mastery. Jerry Seinfeld is arguably one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
In 1981, he got his first opportunity to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. How many times do you think he practiced his five-minute set before he got up on stage and was broadcast into millions of homes across the United States? If you guessed in the neighborhood of 200 times, you'd be correct. That's how many times he went to various New York nightclubs and practiced that same five-minute set over and over.
Why? Because he understood that mastery comes through powerful repetition. And yet, in the workplace, it's something that most of us try to avoid. Or we think that we should just give someone direction one time and they'll do it properly from that point forward. I sometimes see this with leaders. They have employees who don't perform the way they want them to perform. They go to that employee and they say, why aren't you doing it? I told you how to do this.
I showed you how to do it. But what the employee really needs is repetition. Sometimes I'll see feedback on a course like this, or my other time-management courses and someone will say, he repeats himself too much. However, that's by design. I firmly believe that conditioning is more powerful than discipline, and conditioning, learning a new pattern of behavior so that it becomes automatic, can only be achieved through repetition.
Think for a moment about one skill that you want to master to the point that it's automatic. What's your perfect five-minute set, like Jerry Seinfeld? Consider for a moment, are you getting enough reps? If not, look at your calendar and schedule some time to practice. This time is just to repeat that moment over and over and over until that skill is magic and automatic.
Repetition may not be a pleasant experience, but it's certainly your friend when it comes to productivity.
Author
Updated
4/15/2019Released
4/11/2016Productivity expert Dave Crenshaw provides techniques on a wide variety of topics, designed to help people better manage their time and ultimately become more productive. Tune in to learn about everything from managing emails and calendars to setting priorities, collaborating with coworkers, reducing interruptions, crafting a "productivity mindset," and creating a more comfortable and effective work environment.
Have an idea for a future video from Dave? Submit it using our course feedback form. If you want more time management strategies now, we recommend watching Dave's Time Management Fundamentals course.
- Reducing interruptions
- Dealing with feeling overwhelmed
- Responding to quick questions
- Making the most of meetings
- Following up
- Implementing a closed door, open calendar policy
Skill Level Intermediate
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Introduction
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Welcome43s
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1. Time Management Tips
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Power tips for sending email3m 14s
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Positive procrastination3m 15s
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Remove the "busy" tag2m 58s
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Manage digital interruptions4m 19s
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Make the most of meetings2m 52s
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Focus on the person2m 37s
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Time management for students2m 59s
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Ending meetings with action1m 44s
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Building a not-to-do list2m 46s
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Avoiding the crowd mindset2m 58s
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Placing a value on your time3m 30s
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How to schedule a meeting3m 35s
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How to develop flexibility4m 19s
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The trouble with texting3m 48s
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Create a perhaps list4m 58s
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Reduce attention switches4m 46s
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Adapt your favorite app4m 33s
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Make time to get more time3m 49s
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Read vs. unread email3m 52s
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Make time to have fun3m 57s
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Create a morning ritual3m 23s
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When to create new homes3m 26s
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How to reduce spam3m 48s
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Why repetition saves time2m 48s
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Productive passwords2m 3s
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Productive web browser tips1m 51s
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Writing a productive email1m 55s
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Commit to your calendar1m 54s
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What to say instead of ASAP1m 46s
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Set voicemail expectations1m 43s
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Set email expectations1m 46s
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How to use an inbox1m 41s
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How to use an outbox1m 53s
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Video: Why repetition saves time