“We encourage our employees, in addition to their regular projects, to spend 20% of their time working on what they think will most benefit Google,”
- Identify Specific Skills: Clearly define the skill you want to learn. Focusing on one specific area rather than spreading yourself thin across multiple subjects helps in achieving faster and more noticeable improvement.
- Seek Value in Every Effort: Even if a project doesn’t lead to immediate success, look for the minimum benefits such as learning new techniques, gaining exposure to different fields, or networking. This ensures your time is never wasted.
- Stay Flexible and Committed: Be disciplined in protecting your learning time, but also flexible enough to adjust when urgent tasks arise. The key is consistency, not a rigid schedule.
- Make it Enjoyable: Incorporate fun elements into your learning process. This could be through interactive methods like working with friends, enjoying relevant media, or engaging in creative projects.
- Think Long-Term: View your learning as a long-term investment. Small, consistent efforts compound over time, leading to significant improvements and opportunities in the future.