Rework — Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

Summary in 15 minutes. The things “everybody knows” about business that actually hold us back. Your own problem, little money and tight constraints: the best ingredients for a good business. Fewer interruptions, meetings and long lists; more small decisions, quick wins and a firm “no.” Building an audience, hiring the right people, and a culture that treats people like adults. The reading is done. Now talk less, plan less and ship something today.

Key ideas of "Rework"

Break the Old Rules

The things “everybody knows” about business that actually hold us back.

1. Planning Is Guessing: Ignore the “real world”
2. Workaholism Is Not a Virtue: More hours don’t mean more work

Get Started

Your own problem, little money and tight constraints: the best ingredients for a good business.

1. Scratch Your Own Itch: Start with your own problem
2. Less Money, Less Mass: Outside money is Plan Z
3. Embrace Constraints: Half a product, not a half-assed product

A New Way of Working

Fewer interruptions, meetings and long lists; more small decisions, quick wins and a firm “no.”

1. Interruptions and Meetings: Two enemies of productivity
2. Small Decisions, Quick Wins: “Good enough” is fine
3. Competitors and Saying No: Do less, but do it better

People, Promotion and Culture

Building an audience, hiring the right people, and a culture that treats people like adults.

1. Build an Audience: Teach, the way great chefs do
2. New Rules for Hiring: Hire when it hurts
3. Culture and Handling Mistakes: Treat people like adults

Put It into Practice

The reading is done. Now talk less, plan less and ship something today.

1. The 7-Day Plan: One task a day. Tick it off when you’re done.
2. The One-Page Cheat Sheet: The whole book at a glance. Save it.
3. Final Word: Inspiration Is Perishable: Start right now

From the free first chapter

Long-range business plans, the authors argue, are really guesses: nobody knows in advance what the market, competitors or customers will do. Write a five-year plan and you become a slave to your own guesswork. Decide what to do this week, not next year.

Read the first chapter free · Price: ৳250 · or every book with a membership