I first heard the phrase “Repetition is the mother of skill” back in 2000 during an Anthony Robinson course. Over the years, I’ve come to understand its true power.
This phrase, originally coined by the renowned author Zig Ziglar, is not just about learning new skills; it’s about mastering them to the point where they become second nature. Ziglar elaborated, saying, “Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.” (Source)
Why Repetition Matters: Real-World Application
The importance of this phrase became particularly evident when I was contacted by a legal representative last week to confirm the details of some Armed Robbery training we ran back in 2004 and 2007 at CHD Partners.
A robbery had occurred on-site, and the authorities wanted to know the specifics of the training. As I recalled the training, I realised just how vital repetition was in the process. One of the key concepts we focused on was the word “Comply”, which we used frequently during training.
The training aimed to educate participants on understanding the body’s natural fight-or-flight response in a life-threatening situation. However, complying was a conscious response—different from the instinctual fight or flight—and it needed to be practised.
Repetition in Police and Military Training
My years of weapons training in the police taught me that to develop a skill to the level where it becomes instinctive, you must practice it between 2,500 to 3,000 times. Repetition was essential for making skills automatic and effective under pressure. This is why I advocate for role-playing and safe simulations in training, without using firearms or causing unnecessary fear.
Repetition in military and police settings isn’t just about repeating actions over and over; it’s about creating muscle memory, mental resilience, and situational awareness.
The goal is to have your response be so ingrained that, when you face a real-world threat, you don’t have to think about what to do. Instead, your body knows instinctively how to react based on the repetitions performed during training.
The Power of Repetition in High-Stress Situations
While it’s not possible to conduct armed robbery awareness training thousands of times, regularly rehearsing how you would respond in such a scenario can be just as effective. This concept aligns closely with how elite athletes prepare for their competitions. They mentally rehearse their responses until they become second nature.
It’s not just about physical practice. Mental repetition, such as visualising how you would react to a robbery or emergency, can prepare you just as well.
This is why I emphasise mental rehearsals as much as physical training. Visualisation techniques, used by athletes and military personnel, help build the necessary psychological resilience to stay calm and perform effectively in high-pressure situations.
Years later, when the victim of the robbery was interviewed, they could clearly recall the advice we had drilled into them during training: Comply, don’t look at the offender, and comply.
Conclusion: Why Repetition is Key to Survival
This experience reinforces the idea that “Repetition is the mother of skill”. Repeating something—whether it’s a mental exercise or physical practice—helps cement the response, even in life-threatening situations. Just like an athlete prepares for a game, regular practice can be the difference between success and failure.
In high-stress scenarios, repetition ensures that the skills become second nature, enabling the individual to act instinctively when needed.
The power of repetition also lies in its ability to build confidence. The more you practice a skill or response, the more assured you become in your ability to handle challenging situations.
Confidence allows you to remain calm and focused, which is critical during emergencies. When you’ve repeated a task or response numerous times, it becomes ingrained, and you can trust yourself to act decisively when the time comes.
Beyond high-risk situations, repetition fosters consistency and resilience. Whether you’re training for personal or professional growth, the repeated practice of a skill leads to improved performance and reduced error.
In any field, consistency is key to long-term success, and the habits developed through repetition often translate into greater efficiency, clarity, and confidence in all areas of life.
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