Rework

Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson · First published March 9th 2010

Most business books give you the same old advice: Write a business plan, study the competition, seek investors, yadda yadda. If you’re looking for a book like that, put this one back on the shelf.

Rework shows you a better, faster, easier way to succeed in business. Read it and you’ll know why plans are actually harmful, why you don’t need outside investors, and why you’re better off ignoring the competition. The truth is, you need less than you think. You don’t need to be a workaholic. You don’t need to staff up. You don’t need to waste time on paperwork or meetings. You don’t even need an office. Those are all just excuses.

What you really need to do is stop talking and start working. This book shows you the way. You’ll learn how to be more productive, how to get exposure without breaking the bank, and tons more counterintuitive ideas that will inspire and provoke you.

With its straightforward language and easy-is-better approach, Rework is the perfect playbook for anyone who’s ever dreamed of doing it on their own. Hardcore entrepreneurs, small-business owners, people stuck in day jobs they hate, victims of “downsizing,” and artists who don’t want to starve anymore will all find valuable guidance in these pages.

“Rework” is a book written by the founders of 37signals, a company that provides web-based project management tools. The book is a collection of essays that challenge conventional wisdom about starting and growing a business.

1. Keep it simple: Don’t overcomplicate your business or product. Focus on what you do best and eliminate anything that doesn’t add value.
2. Don’t wait for perfection: Don’t spend too much time planning or trying to perfect your product before launching. Instead, focus on getting it to market quickly and making improvements as you go.
3. Embrace constraints: Lack of resources can often be a catalyst for creativity and innovation. Use constraints to your advantage by focusing on what is truly essential.
4. Work smarter, not harder: Be efficient with your time and prioritize tasks that will have the biggest impact.
5. Don’t follow the rules: Don’t be afraid to break with traditional business practices. Do things your way and find what works best for you.
6. Focus on your customers: Listen to what your customers want and need, and build your product around them.
7. Embrace collaboration: Collaborate with others to get the best results. This can lead to better ideas and faster progress.
8. Hire the right people: Hire people who are passionate and align with your values, rather than just those with the most experience or qualifications.
9. Don’t be afraid to fail: Failure is an inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey. Learn from your mistakes and use them to improve your business.
10. Keep moving forward: Keep making progress, even if it’s slow. Don’t get bogged down by setbacks or obstacles, and keep pushing forward towards your goals.