Spaced Repetition

We learn in one of three ways:

  • Impact (“I was watching TV when the earthquake occurred”)
    • Useful in conversation and putting events in context of time
  • Discovery (“I discovered the drain was clogged when I took it apart”)
    • Useful in conversation and applying one time experiences
  • Spaced Repetition (“I became a Champion swimmer by taking lessons, every year, starting at age 3)
    • determines how we behave in our everyday lives

Think back to the last seminar you or someone in your organization attended, can you:

  • Name three key concepts learned and retained from the seminar?
  • Point to three concepts from the same seminar implemented to improve your business?

If you are like most people, the answer is no.

A key component of our personal and organizational developmental process is the use of “Spaced Repetition”.  “Spaced Repetition” is the continued reinforcement of a concept over a period of time.

Spaced Repetition” has proven to be a far more effective method of personal and professional development when compared to a single or consecutive day seminar.  Studies show participants at single or consecutive day seminars have retention levels of 50% after 24 hours, 25% after 48 hours and less than 2% 16 days after course completion.  Conversely, with multiple short sessions (1.5 – 2.0 hours) spaced over time the retention level is 62% for 15 years to life.  Given the capital organizations and individuals continue to invest in training and development, the return on investment for spaced repetition based development is vastly greater when compared to single or consecutive day training seminars.

Combine the retention rate with the fact 80-85% of a person’s actions are intuitive – based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning – the only effective way to experience sustainable positive change is through “Spaced Repetition” of the desired new behavior.

Spaced Repetition is the bedrock of our philosophy to ensure the long-term success of our clients and their organization.