{"id":7768,"date":"2024-06-08T02:23:10","date_gmt":"2024-06-08T06:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/how-to-apply-googles-20-rule-to-your-life\/"},"modified":"2024-06-08T02:23:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-08T06:23:10","slug":"how-to-apply-googles-20-rule-to-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/how-to-apply-googles-20-rule-to-your-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply Google\u2019s 20% Rule to Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<p><em>There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Over the past 10 days, I have been experimenting with TikTok videos.<\/p>\n<p>Why am I bothering with a platform that might be banned in the US?<\/p>\n<p>Well, I\u2019m using TikTok as an opportunity to learn more about what works (or doesn\u2019t work) with short-form video content.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t have any sort of plan.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, I\u2019m just having fun with\u2026tinkering.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This experiment reminds me of the 20% rule that Google has for their employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>So in today\u2019s featured article, I\u2019ll talk about this rule and how to apply it to your life.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-an-overview-of-google-s-20-rule\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Overview_of_Googles_20_Rule\"\/><a\/><strong>An Overview of Google\u2019s 20% Rule<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>The 20% rule was introduced by Google for all their employees and simply states that employees spend 20 percent of their working hours on projects that they think will benefit Google the most.<\/p>\n<p>(For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/12\/16\/google-20-percent-rule-shows-exactly-how-much-time-you-should-spend-learning-new-skills.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"90758\">check out this article here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>In essence, this rule allows employees to become more creative and innovative and has given Google tremendous long-term success (including significant advances like Adsense and Google News).<\/p>\n<p>However, this rule can be applied anywhere, for anything, and not just in business.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The core idea here is to spend a small portion of your time to either learn a skill or experiment with an unproven idea<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also unnecessary to focus too much on \u201c20%\u201d other time chunks work just as well \u2013 including 5%, 10%, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to apply this rule to your life.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-1-pick-one-thing\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Pick_One_Thing\"\/><a\/><strong>Step 1: Pick One Thing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p>Start by choosing something important to you, this could be any skill that you think gives you an edge in your career, or a technology that you\u2019ve always wanted to learn more about.<\/p>\n<p>(<strong>Side note<\/strong>: Don\u2019t know where to get started? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/new-skills-to-learn\/\" data-lasso-id=\"90759\">Here\u2019s a list of 101 new skills you can learn<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>However, it\u2019s absolutely vital to limit yourself to just <strong>one<\/strong> thing at a time.<\/p>\n<p>Leonardo Da Vinci once said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs every divided kingdom falls, so every mind divided between many studies confounds and saps itself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you try to learn multiple new skills at once you will be frustrated and won\u2019t make any meaningful progress on any of them.<\/p>\n<p>The video below explain how you can use just-in time learning to master any skill.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to MASTER Any New Skill with Just in Time Learning\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZbJVmSAXmFA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-2-evaluate-your-time\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Evaluate_Your_Time\"\/><a\/><strong>Step 2: Evaluate Your Time<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p>Google&#8217;s rule states that 20 percent of all working hours should be used in a 40-hour work. This amounts to around 8 hours working on new projects.<\/p>\n<p>But for someone trying to learn a new skill in their spare time, this might not be practical or even realistic.<\/p>\n<p>If you take a chunk of your leisure time and devote that to the 20% rule you will have a much more realistic amount of time to play with.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you had 10 hours of leisure time each week you could devote 2 hours of that to learning the \u201cthing\u201d you picked.<\/p>\n<p>All that said, if you\u2019re strapped for time, consider changing the 20% rule to 5% or 10% instead.<\/p>\n<p>The main point:<\/p>\n<p>Just spend a little bit of your free time on learning something new.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-3-lower-expectations\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Lower_Expectations\"\/><a\/><strong>Step 3: Lower Expectations<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p>Whatever skill you\u2019ve picked, don\u2019t expect to become an expert overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Google doesn\u2019t demand that the 20% rule delivers super successful projects (even if some have been).<\/p>\n<p>The main point is to practice new skills and be innovative and self-directed.<\/p>\n<p>One way to think about your learning is to think about the long-term benefits of your skill.<\/p>\n<p>Is it something that is helping you face a fear (like public speaking) or is it a more social hobby that allows you to make more friends (like a team sport or other venture)?<\/p>\n<p>Just have fun\u2026tinkering.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-4-be-flexible\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Be_Flexible\"\/><a\/><strong>Step 4: Be Flexible<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019ve allocated a certain amount of time every week and on a given day you can\u2019t do what you need to do, don\u2019t beat yourself up.<\/p>\n<p>If you have 2 or 3 hours each week and simply don\u2019t have an hour on the day you planned, either do half an hour spread across two days or maybe spend 2 hours on one day.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you can\u2019t get all 2 or 3 hours done every week, don\u2019t sweat it, or else you\u2019ll turn what should be something good into a tedious chore.<\/p>\n<p>The main point is that every week you should spend some time that gets you to around your 20% (or 10%).<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-5-have-fun\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_5_Have_Fun\"\/><a\/><strong>Step 5: Have Fun<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p>You must make this something that you enjoy and not something that you dread \u2013 you can make it enjoyable by focusing on different benefits and not being too results-oriented.<\/p>\n<p>For example \u2013 let\u2019s say you took up jogging.<\/p>\n<p>You could think like an athlete and try to constantly improve run times, and think solely about improving your aerobic base, and this will get you fitter faster, but it also might turn jogging into something you hate.<\/p>\n<p>Another way to look at this would be to consider the other benefits:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Time with nature<\/li>\n<li>Endorphins from finishing a run<\/li>\n<li>Time alone to think<\/li>\n<li>Breaking out of your comfort zone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Instead of thinking solely about improvement (which will happen anyway) look at all the ways you can enjoy what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-6-think-long-term\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_6_Think_Long_Term\"\/><a\/><strong>Step 6: Think Long Term<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h3>\n<p>Thinking too short-term here can be a recipe for burnout.<\/p>\n<p>Think about how the skill you\u2019ve picked to learn will benefit you <em>far <\/em>into the future and can help keep you grounded and realistic.<\/p>\n<p>It also helps keep you excited about what you\u2019re doing and connects what you\u2019re learning with what you hope to achieve in the future.<\/p>\n<p>You can do this by visualizing what you\u2019ll gain by sticking with something for a year or a few years.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-20-rule-in-action\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_20_Rule_in_Action\"\/><a\/><strong>The 20% Rule in Action<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>John decides that he wants to learn computer programming in some of his off time.<\/p>\n<p>He figures that if he follows the 20% rule he\u2019ll have about 3 hours a week to dedicate to learning this new skill.<\/p>\n<p>He realizes that he is not going to be a coding wizz in a few weeks or months, it\u2019s going to be longer before he starts to become competent at this skill.<\/p>\n<p>Some weeks he doesn\u2019t always get the chance to do the full 3 hours but he gets at least a couple of hours in.<\/p>\n<p>He views his coding practice as something to experiment and have fun with, he takes his time on exercises and coding that he enjoys the most.<\/p>\n<p>John understands that if he keeps up his practice he will become competent in a skill that he never believed he was smart enough to even attempt, and that it opens some potentially massive doors for him in the future.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts-on-the-google-s-20-rule\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts_on_the_Googles_20_Rule\"\/><a\/><strong>Final Thoughts on the Google\u2019s 20% Rule<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s clear that Google&#8217;s 20% rule isn&#8217;t just a quirky company policy\u2014it&#8217;s a testament to the power of investing in creativity and innovation.<\/p>\n<p>By allowing employees to dedicate a day a week to explore new ideas, Google has not only sparked the creation of products like Gmail and AdSense, but it has also cultivated an environment where thinking outside the box isn&#8217;t just encouraged, it&#8217;s expected.<\/p>\n<p>So, what&#8217;s stopping us from applying a similar principle in our own professional lives?<\/p>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re a solo entrepreneur or part of a larger team, consider carving out a slice of your week to pursue a project that fuels your passion or solves a problem in an innovative way.<\/p>\n<p>Who knows?<\/p>\n<p>That 20% could lead to your next big breakthrough.<\/p>\n<p>And if you want more resources about work habits, be sure to check out these blog posts:<\/p>\n<p><b>Finally, if you want to level up your productivity and time management skills, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/short-productive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>then watch this free video about the 9 productivity habits you can build at work<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"google's 20% rule | innovation time off | google innovation policy\" class=\"wp-image-43900\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:342px;height:512px\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule.jpg 735w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule-683x1024.jpg\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"google's 20% rule | innovation time off | google innovation policy\" class=\"wp-image-43900\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:342px;height:512px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.developgoodhabits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/how-apply-google-20-rule.jpg 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-habits"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7768"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7768\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}