Ever feel like you’re stuck in execution mode—checking boxes, completing tasks—but not actually innovating or creating anything new? In this episode, Brian shares a powerful strategy borrowed from companies like 3M and Google that can completely change how you and your team operate: build your own “labs” time. From Post-it Notes to Gmail, some of the world’s most impactful products came from intentional space to experiment—and Brian is now implementing this exact concept inside his own businesses. This episode is your invitation to stop just working in your business… and start creating within it.
✨ Why This Matters for You
This isn’t just a big-company luxury—it’s a competitive advantage for you:
- Innovation doesn’t happen on a packed to-do list—it requires space.
- Creativity can’t be micromanaged, but it can be prioritized.
- Some of your best ideas are sitting dormant because you never give them time.
- In today’s AI-powered world, building and experimenting is faster (and more accessible) than ever.
📝 Key Takeaways
- Create Intentional “Play” Time. 3M (15%) and Google (20%) built innovation into their culture by dedicating real work hours—not spare time—to experimentation.
- You Can’t Schedule Breakthroughs—But You Can Create the Conditions. Giving yourself or your team permission to explore ideas unlocks creativity that structured work often suppresses.
- Small Experiments Lead to Big Outcomes. Post-it Notes. Gmail. These weren’t planned products—they were side explorations that turned into breakthroughs.
- Build > Think. Instead of overthinking ideas, use today’s tools (especially AI) to quickly prototype and test concepts.
- Most Ideas Won’t “Work”—And That’s the Point. The value isn’t just in the outcome—it’s in the learning, skill-building, and momentum.
- Innovation Is a Cultural Choice. If you don’t intentionally create space for experimentation, it simply won’t happen.
🚀 Put It Into Action
Start building your own version of “labs” time:
- Block off 10–20% of your week for experimentation (no client work, no obligations).
- Choose something you’re curious about—build it, test it, ship it.
- Use AI tools to rapidly prototype ideas you previously thought were too complex.
- Share what you create (even if it’s imperfect).
- Challenge yourself: create and ship one small experiment per week for the next 30 days.
🔗 Stay Connected
- Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes and strategies
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→ Email hello@imetbrian.com to claim yours - Connect with Brian on Instagram: @imetbrian
- Share this episode with someone who’s stuck in execution mode—and needs permission to start creating
