My notes and takeaways from the refreshingly contrarian business wisdom of Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson of Basecamp
I had a very productive day today and am happy to say I got through reading Rework which I really enjoyed. Below are my notes from the book.
If you’re tired of the same old business advice that feels disconnected from reality, Rework offers a refreshing alternative. Written by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the founders of Basecamp (formerly 37signals), this book challenges conventional wisdom about what it takes to start and run a successful business.
What makes Rework stand out is its straightforward, no-nonsense approach. Instead of encouraging complex business plans, venture capital funding, and rapid growth, the authors advocate for simplicity, self-funding, and intentional smallness. Their counterintuitive insights are based on their own experiences building a profitable company without following the traditional startup playbook.
Challenging Business Assumptions
Ignore the real world
Don’t listen when others say something can’t be done. The “real world” is often just an excuse for not trying something new or challenging established norms.
Failure is not a rite of passage
With so much failure in the air, you can’t help but breathe it in. Don’t inhale. Don’t get fooled by the stats. Other people’s failures are just that: other people’s failures. Just because others have failed doesn’t mean you’re destined to.
Planning is guessing
Unless you’re a fortune teller, long-term business planning is a fantasy. There are too many factors that are out of your hands: market conditions, competitors, customers, the economy, etc. Running a plan makes you feel in control of things you can’t actually control. Why don’t we just call plans what they really are: guesses.
One of the most powerful aspects of Rework is how it liberates entrepreneurs from the traditional burdens of business mythology. By recognizing that plans are just guesses and failure isn’t inevitable, founders can focus on what actually matters: creating something valuable and getting it to market.
Why grow?
Have you ever noticed that while small businesses wish they were bigger, big businesses dream about being more agile and flexible? And remember, once you get big, it’s really hard to shrink without laying off people, damaging morale, and changing the entire way you do business. Don’t be insecure about being a small business. Anyone who runs a business that’s sustainable and profitable, whether it’s big or small, should be proud.
Productivity and Work Culture
Workaholism
Not only is workaholism unnecessary, it’s stupid. Working more doesn’t mean you care more or get more done. You just work more. Workaholics miss the point, too. They try to fix problems by throwing sheer hours at them, trying to make up for intellectual laziness with brute force. The real hero is already home because they figured out a faster way to get things done.
Interruption is the enemy of productivity
If you’re constantly staying late and working weekends, it’s not because there’s too much work to be done. It’s because you’re not getting enough done at work. And the reason is interruptions. Getting into the zone takes time and requires avoiding interruptions. It’s like REM sleep: you don’t just go directly into REM sleep. You go to sleep first and then make your way to REM. Any interruptions force you to start over.
The authors of Rework challenge the glorification of overwork that’s common in startup culture. They recognize that productivity isn’t about hours worked but about focused effort and smart solutions. Their perspective is a welcome antidote to the “hustle culture” that dominates much business thinking.
Meetings are toxic
The worst interruptions of all are meetings. Here’s why:
- They’re usually about words and abstract concepts, not real things
- They usually convey an hour’s worth of information in a minute
- They require thorough preparation that most people don’t have time for
- They usually have agendas so vague that nobody is really sure of the goal
- Meetings procreate. One meeting leads to another to another
It’s also unfortunate that meetings are typically scheduled like TV shows. You set aside 30 minutes or an hour because that’s how scheduling software works. Too bad. If it only takes seven minutes to accomplish the goal of a meeting, then that’s all the time you should spend. Don’t stretch seven minute meetings to 30.
They are not 13
When you treat people as children, you get children’s work. Yet that’s exactly how a lot of companies and managers treat employees. Employees need to ask permission before they can do anything. They need to get approval for every tiny expenditure.
What do you gain if you ban employees from, say, visiting a social networking site or watching YouTube while at work? You gain nothing. That time doesn’t magically convert to work. People need diversions. They help disrupt the monotony of the workday. A little YouTube or Facebook time never hurt anyone.
Starting and Building a Business
Be a starter!
Instead of entrepreneurs, let’s just call them starters. Anyone who creates a new business is a starter. You don’t need an MBA, a certificate, a fancy suit, a briefcase, or an above-average tolerance for risk. You just need an idea, a touch of confidence, and a push to get started.
Make a dent in the universe!
If you’re going to do something, do something that matters.
Scratch your own itch
The easiest, most straightforward way to create a great product or service is to make something you want to use.
Reasons to quit a project (ask yourself):
- Why are you doing this?
- Is this actually useful?
- Are you adding value?
- Will this change behavior?
- Is there an easier way?
- What could you be doing instead?
Start making something
We all know that friend who says, “I had the idea for eBay. If only I had acted on it, I’d be a billionaire!” That logic is pathetic and delusional. Having the idea for eBay has nothing to do with actually creating eBay. What you do is what matters, not what you think or say or plan. The most important thing is to begin. Ideas are cheap and plentiful. The real question is how well you will execute.
The authors’ emphasis on simply starting—without overthinking, overplanning, or seeking perfection—is incredibly liberating. In a business world obsessed with credentials, funding, and complex strategies, Rework suggests that the most important thing is just to begin creating something valuable.
No time is no excuse
The most common excuse people give is there’s not enough time. They claim they’d love to start a company, learn an instrument, market an invention, write a book, or whatever, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day.
You need a commitment strategy, not an exit strategy
Building to flip is building to flop. Embrace constraints.
Product Development and Execution
Stop whining
Less is a good thing. Constraints are advantages in disguise. Limited resources force you to make do with what you’ve got. There’s no room for waste. And that forces you to be creative. Ever seen what a prisoner can do with a spoon? They make do with what they’ve got.
You’re better off with a kick-ass half than a half-ass whole
Ignore the details early on. Architects don’t worry about which tiles go in the shower or which brand of dishwasher to install in the kitchen until after the floor plan is finalized. They know it’s better to decide these details later. You need to approach your idea the same way. Details make the difference. But getting infatuated with details too early leads to disagreement, meetings, and delays.
Rework encourages entrepreneurs to embrace constraints rather than complain about them. Limited resources can actually spark creativity and force focus on what truly matters. This counterintuitive perspective challenges the assumption that you need abundant resources to build something great.
Focus on what won’t change
A lot of companies focus on the next big thing. That’s a fool’s path. Focus on things that people are going to want today and 10 years from now. Those are things that you should invest in.
Marketing and Company Culture
Nobody likes plastic flowers
The business world is full of professionals who wear the uniform and try to seem perfect. In truth, they just come off as stiff and boring. No one can relate to people like that. Don’t be afraid to show your flaws. Imperfections are real and people respond to real. It’s why we like real flowers that wilt, not perfect plastic ones that never change. Don’t worry about how you’re supposed to sound and how you’re supposed to act. Show the world what you’re really like, warts and all. There is a beauty to imperfection.
Drug dealers get it right
Drug dealers are astute business people. They know their product is so good, they’re willing to give a little away for free upfront. They know you’ll be back for more with money. Emulate drug dealers. Don’t be afraid to give a little away for free as long as you’ve got something else to sell. Be confident in what you’re offering. You should know that people will come back for more. If you’re not confident about that, you haven’t built a strong enough product.
The marketing advice in Rework emphasizes authenticity over polish, generosity over stinginess, and teaching over selling. This human-centered approach to business stands in stark contrast to the polished corporate marketing that dominates many industries.
You don’t create a culture
You don’t create a culture. It happens. This is why new companies don’t have a culture. Culture is the byproduct of consistent behavior. If you encourage people to share, sharing will be built into your culture. If you reward trust, trust will be built in. If you treat customers right, treating customers right becomes your culture.
Forget about formal education
There are companies out there who have educational requirements. They only hire people with a college degree or advanced degree or a certain GPA or certification of some sort or some other requirement. Come on. There are plenty of intelligent people who don’t excel in the classroom. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need someone from one of the best schools in order to get results. 90% of CEOs currently heading the top 500 American companies did not receive undergraduate degrees from Ivy League colleges.
How to teach your competition
Teaching isn’t something your competitors are even thinking about. Most businesses focus on selling or servicing, but teaching never even occurs to them. Teach and you form a bond you just don’t get from traditional marketing tactics. Buying people’s attention with a magazine or online banner ad is one thing. Earning their loyalty by teaching them forms a different connection. They trust you more. They respect you more.
Final Thoughts: Business Wisdom for the Real World
Rework stands out among business books for its refreshing honesty and practical advice. Rather than promoting complex strategies or get-rich-quick schemes, Fried and Heinemeier Hansson share straightforward wisdom based on their actual experiences building a successful company.
What I find most valuable about this book is how it gives permission to take a different path. In a business culture that often glorifies raising venture capital, rapid scaling, and eventual exits, Rework shows that it’s possible to build a profitable, sustainable business by focusing on solving real problems, creating genuine value, and maintaining independence.
Whether you’re just starting a business, leading a team, or simply interested in a more sane approach to work, there’s something valuable to take away from this unconventional guide.
Join the Conversation
Which of these principles resonates most with you? Have you applied any of these ideas in your work or business? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Puru says:
Nice abstract.. keep it up
Madison says:
I’m trying to decide between marketing or finance as my major, could someone shed some light on the pros and cons of each, and the major differences. I’m torn between the two and would like to know
if there are things about each that I”m not thinking of..