How did you learn to say the pledge of allegiance?
How did you learn to say the Lord’s Prayer?
How did you learn your alphabet, times table or vocabulary words?
Repetition. That’s right, repetition.
It’s not rocket science. It’s no secret mystery. The key to remembering anything is repetition.
That’s why if it’s important, you need to say it, over and over again.
Today’s word is Repetition.
It’s been proven that when you meet someone if you want to remember their name you need to do at least three things.
- Repeat their name immediately,
- Say it again in your next sentence or two.
- Say their name again before you end the conversation.
Starla says this is why I don’t hear anything that people are saying to me, because I am too busy trying to remember their name. She’s probably right. Therefore, I apologize to the next person I meet. I may not know what you told me, but I will remember your name. Do I get partial credit?
Recently my mother and I were talking and she was trying to recall the name of someone whom she hadn’t spoken to or thought of in years. She tried to blame it on age. Age had nothing to do with it, the lack of repetition did. If you don’t use it, you lose it.
- If someone matters to you, tell them often.
- If something is important to you, remind yourself often.
- If some task deserves attention, do it today and often.
Repetition is even used in the Bible to drive home a thought or truth that God does not want us to forget. Such as the concept of “I will be your God and you will be my people.” This truth is found in Ex. 6:7; Gen. 17:17; Lev. 26:12; Num. 15:41; Jer. 7:23; Ez.36:28. God doesn’t want us to forget that He is our God and we are His people.
What do you need to remember today? Repeat it over and over again.