No one is spectacular at their job on the first day, and what sets high achievers apart from their average counterparts is the speed at which they learn. Those looking to improve their impact need to maximize how fast they can get better at whatever they're doing. There are many tips and tricks to learn faster and more efficiently, but Auren Hoffman, CEO of SafeGraph, says the 70 percent rule is the best advice he has to offer. “One way people, especially more junior employees, underestimate themselves is by failing to spend most of their time on things that are really hard for them to do,” Hoffman says. “All employees (not just entry-level employees) should strive to have at least 70 percent of their time doing things that are really difficult. These are the tasks that require the most thought, rigor, and attention. And these are the tasks that result in the most growth.” Simply put, if something is easy to do, you’re not learning while you’re doing it. Growth occurs when you push yourself outside your comfort zone.
