📖 It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried et al.

David Guerrero -

Topic: Productivity | Medium: Audible | Rating: 4/5

From having worked in companies where burning the midnight oil was the norm I appreciate this perspective of calm profitability. However, I still think you need to experience all modes of work to cater to your goals. As a recovering workaholic, I still get the itch for stress-induced productivity. 😅

I do really like the concept of treating the office like a library - quiet, with few distractions.

Notes:

  • “Sustained exhaustion is not a badge of honour. It’s stupidity.”
  • Late nights and stressed deadlines should be the exception.
  • Calm, sustainable, and profitable business model.
  • Your company is a product and should be the best product by constantly reiterating. Ask do people here know how to use the company. Is it complex? Is it useful, or usable? It likely has bugs to be fixed. The way you work is malleable.
  • Work ethic does mean lots of hours. It means you are someone of their word.
  • Don’t expect immediate responses.
  • JOMO – Joy of missing out on unnecessary work.
  • Family vs coworkers – keep it separate. Your company won’t take a bullet for you.
  • All-nighters are red flags, not green flags.
  • Hiring people - test them for a week. Base hiring decisions on the work they are about to do.
  • Library for work rather than an office for distraction. ⭐
  • Make considered thoughts, not knee-jerk reactions.
  • Deadlines are on Monday not Friday to avoid any overflow onto the weekend.
  • Eliminating tasks is a trade for time.
  • Promise to not make promises.