Recently, Taylor penned a post for Originate about their 20% Time Done Right program to spark and help cultivate each individual’s passion and drive to create. One day per week, or one week out of every five, is entirely your own to work on a project that interests you. The upper brass at Originate believes that by empowering you to exercise your personal interests while at work, with no strings attached, they can create a fertile environment for world-changing ideas. It’s important to realize that this time is actually built into the normal work week. That is, it’s not 20 percent of 150 percent, but rather 20 percent of 100 percent. Originate manages their partner projects accordingly to ensure their employees get dedicated time to work on their passions. The process is intentionally simple:
Come up with an ideaBounce it off of your coworkers to refine and improve the idea, or recruit your coworkers to be part of the teamDiscuss with your supervisor to get feedbackWrite up a project description with milestones and deliverables, and complete the simple legal Agreementthat grants you all rights to your workExecute
20% Time is to be used for things that benefit not only you, but also Originate and the greater good. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get a salary, shared upside, and support for your idea all while working on other, interesting projects.
