Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Makes You Better at Your Job

Let's be honest – repetition gets a bad rap. Nobody daydreams about doing the same task hundreds of times. Yet, here's the thing: those who reach the top of their game? They've embraced the power of doing things over and over again.

Think about Roger Federer. The guy didn’t just casually hit a few balls before matches. He had a legendary practice routine where he hit thousands of balls weekly from different court positions – the same shots he had been practicing since childhood. His coach often stood at the baseline, feeding ball after ball, as Federer worked on his backhand for hours. His body knew exactly what to do when it mattered most, because he had programmed those movements into his muscle memory through endless repetition.

Not Just For Sports

This isn't just a tennis thing. Distance runners understand this concept intimately. Marathon champions don't just run a few miles here and there. They log hundreds of miles monthly, repeating the same stride patterns until their bodies become incredibly efficient. Their coaches analyze their running form, making tiny adjustments to prevent injuries and boost performance. The magic happens not in the occasional long run, but in the daily discipline of lacing up those shoes and hitting the pavement, regardless of weather.

Whatever your job is, there are fundamental skills that form the backbone of your expertise. When you repeat these skills deliberately (meaning you're paying attention, not just going through the motions), something amazing happens. What used to take all your mental energy gradually becomes automatic, freeing up your brain to tackle the trickier and more complex stuff.

That's where having a good coach can make a real difference. Just like how Serena Williams still had Patrick Mouratoglou watching her technique after decades dominating the sport, we all benefit from someone who can spot what we're missing. A good coach isn't there to nag you – they're the person who notices that small adjustment that could make everything click. They're like the tennis coach who feeds you hundreds of practice balls, ensuring each swing improves your technique incrementally. But, most of all, a good coach will identify behaviors that no longer serve you - a good coach can get you pointed in the right direction, and focusing on the right things.

Ignite Your Personal Brand

The hidden gem about repetition is that it also builds the foundation for creativity. Jazz musicians don't just wake up one day able to improvise amazing solos – they practice scales and patterns so much that their fingers can fly while their minds explore new territory. The same goes for your job – mastering the basics through repetition is what eventually lets you bring your unique spin and individual talents to the work.