37signal’s latest … REWORK

Another constant in life besides change is work. We build our lifestyle, structure and habits around this so much that at times, it’s easy to forget what we’re really doing. In fact, we’re breeding more work and more concerns about matter which overloads us in ways that prevents us from becoming productive. Most importantly we’re not being efficient and that’s something nobody wants to complain about but accept as the norm.

As I’m reading through the excerpt of REWORK by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, I’m struck by how complicated our lives have come to be. We’re hustling to the point that how we work is no longer rewarding but self-destructive. Maybe it’s the in-your-face writing which gets straight to the point or the fearlessness I sense in the tone of the words, whichever it is, I get the idea that less is better.

What’s Inside

Working smarter but doing less is the new innovative way of going about business. That doesn’t mean you stop doing what you’re doing, it just means working differently. The authors are able to take the common and put a kick to seeing work in an avant-garde way. In the excerpt, 5 areas are presented in which reworking can be applied:

• work ethic
• meetings
• target
• planning
• mentality

What you will also find are illustrations by designer Mike Rohde. You can read more about this on his blog. From looking at these pieces alone, they infuse thoughts as much as the written word from the excerpt.

A Bit of Wisdom Shared

Below are some interesting quotes within each section of the excerpt.

work ethic:

“Workaholics aren’t heroes. They don’t save the day. They just use it up.”

meetings:

“They’re usually about words and abstract concepts, not real things.”

target:

“Being the anti- ______ is a great way to differentiate yourself and attract followers.”

planning:

“Plans are inconsistent with improvisation…You have to be able to pick up opportunities that come along.”

mentality:

When you get suckered into an arms race, you wind up in a never-ending battle that costs you massive amounts of money, time, and drive. And it forces you to constantly be on the defensive, too. Defensive companies can’t think ahead; they can only think behind. They don’t lead; they follow.”

More about REWORK

You can buy the book or download the excerpt from 37signal’s site at REWORK.

There’s also the REWORK manifesto on ChangeThis subtitled, ‘A Better, Easier Way to Succeed in Business‘. The content is a bit different as ChangeThis has their own way of formatting their publications. However, I’m a big fan of Seth Godin and his projects so what you’ll find here is more information you can’t find in the excerpt. Highly recommended for further reading.

Download another excerpt from ChangeThis.

Listen to the podcast as the authors talk about the book from their blog, Signal vs Noise.

Read Mike Rohde’s guest blog post. Then check out Mike’s own post on how it happened from his blog, Rohdesign.

37signals is co-founded by Jason Fried and later partnered with David Heinemeier Hansson who coincidentally are the authors of REWORK. The software company is based out of Chicago, IL and has gained international acclaim for building their business on the internet. See some of their products and more about the authors on 37signals.

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