Implement a 20% Time Policy in Your Life and Business
As children, we are naturally curious and intensely observant as we try to figure out how the world works. As we get older, many of us shut down our natural curiosity and observation skills. We think we understand the world and look for the patterns that we already recognize.- Tina Seelig
Chances are you’ve heard of the 20% time rule that Google had for its employees. You’re allowed to spend 20% of your time working on projects that have NOTHING to do with your job. What you may not know is that this didn’t originate at Google. It came from 3M, a company that has made 1000's of products.
You don’t need to be Google or have a billion dollar budget to incorporate a 20% time rule into your life. Notice that I said your life and your business in the title. For most of us the two blend in ways that they never have.
Creativity Comes from Curiosity
Chances are you are curious about something on almost a daily basis. I want to encourage you to embrace that curiosity, and take the risk of getting lost in Neverland so you can see how far the rabbit hole goes. Set aside 20% of each day or week to be an explorer of the unknown.
I recently started to draw. I’m no Picasso, and most of you might not hang my sketches on your refrigerator. But a series of ideas connected because of my drawing and I had a major breakthrough.
The Only Goal is to Learn
If you go into this with the hopes that you’ll come out with a billion dollar idea, you’re doing it for the all the wrong reasons. The objective of the 20% time rule is simply to learn and grow, nothing more. But chances are your curiosity will actually have an impact on your business.
Wasting Time is Underrated
When I say wasting time I don’t mean, spending all day on Facebook or Twitter. I mean wasting time on something that is creative, like drawing, designing, or taking photos. If you feel guilty about this 20% time you’ll defeat the purpose. Let this time be completely guilt free. I promise your business and your life won’t fall apart if you do this.
Getting Started
Figure out something you want to learn
Ideally it has NOTHING to do with your business
Use Josh Kaufmanns Framework for Accelerated Learning
Spend 20% of your time working on it.
If you need some ideas, call up a friend who is a kindergarten teacher and ask her what she assigned her students. Do those assignments.
I’m the host and founder of The Unmistakable Creative Podcast, where I have weekly conversations with creative entrepreneurs and other insanely interesting people. Our guests have included bloggers, authors, bank robbers, happiness researchers and world famous cartoonists.
Email me when Srinivas Rao publishes or recommends stories