Start small and build momentum
Plans are guesses. Start making something instead.
Book summary
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Rework
by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Change the way you work forever
A revolutionary business manifesto challenging conventional wisdom for a better, faster, easier way to succeed
4.5(10k)Published 2010
Topics
EntrepreneurshipBusiness StrategyProductivityStartup CultureWork-Life Balance
Reading companion
How to read Rework with Readever
Read one counter-intuitive principle per day and immediately challenge one piece of conventional business wisdom in your own work. Use Readever to track which traditional practices you're eliminating and which constraints you're embracing. Highlight Fried and Hansson's most provocative arguments and set reminders to review your progress weekly. Use Readever's AI to identify opportunities to apply the "less is more" philosophy in your current projects.
Things to know before reading
- The book deliberately challenges everything you've been taught about business—be ready to question assumptions
- Come with specific business problems or frustrations to apply the "rework" mindset immediately
- The authors emphasize action over planning—expect practical advice rather than theoretical frameworks
- Many examples come from their experience at Basecamp—focus on the universal principles rather than just the tech context
Brief summary
Rework in a nutshell
Rework is a radical business book that dismantles traditional business advice and replaces it with practical, counterintuitive wisdom from the founders of Basecamp (formerly 37signals). It advocates for starting small, shipping fast, and building a calm, profitable company on your own terms.
Key ideas overview
Rework summary of 3 key ideas
Rework challenges everything you thought you knew about business and offers a fresh, practical approach to building successful companies and products.
Build a calm, profitable company
Workaholism isn't a badge of honor—it's a sign of poor planning.
Ship fast and iterate
If you had to launch your business in two weeks, what would you cut out?
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Deep dive
Key ideas in Rework
Key idea 1
Start small and build momentum
Plans are guesses. Start making something instead.
Traditional business planning is often a waste of time because it's based on assumptions that rarely match reality. Instead of extensive planning, start building immediately with whatever resources you have. Constraints breed creativity and force you to focus on what truly matters.
Remember
- Begin with the smallest viable version of your idea
- Constraints force innovation and focus
- Action creates momentum that planning cannot
Key idea 2
Build a calm, profitable company
Workaholism isn't a badge of honor—it's a sign of poor planning.
The glorification of overwork is counterproductive. Sustainable success comes from building a business that generates profit without requiring constant crisis management or endless hours. Profit provides options and freedom, while growth for growth's sake often leads to complexity and stress.
Remember
- Profitability equals sustainability and freedom
- Small, focused teams outperform large, bureaucratic ones
- Say no to opportunities that don't align with your core mission
Key idea 3
Ship fast and iterate
If you had to launch your business in two weeks, what would you cut out?
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Launch quickly with a minimum viable product, gather real feedback, and improve based on actual usage rather than hypothetical scenarios. The fastest way to learn what works is to put your product in front of real customers.
Remember
- Done is better than perfect
- Real customer feedback beats endless internal debate
- Continuous improvement trumps delayed perfection
Context
What is Rework about?
Rework is a revolutionary business book that systematically dismantles conventional business wisdom and replaces it with practical, counterintuitive advice from the founders of Basecamp. The book covers everything from starting a business and product development to marketing and company culture, all through the lens of building a sustainable, profitable company on your own terms.
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Review
Rework review
Rework has been widely praised for its refreshing, no-nonsense approach to business. Unlike traditional business books filled with complex theories and case studies, Rework offers direct, actionable advice that entrepreneurs can implement immediately. The book's conversational tone and bite-sized chapters make complex concepts accessible and memorable.
- A breath of fresh air in the business book genre
- Practical advice you can implement today
- Challenges conventional wisdom with compelling arguments
- Perfect for entrepreneurs tired of traditional business advice
Who should read Rework?
Entrepreneurs and startup founders
Small business owners seeking sustainable growth
Product managers and developers
Anyone frustrated with traditional corporate culture
Professionals seeking better work-life balance
About the author
Jason Fried is the co-founder and CEO of Basecamp (formerly 37signals), a leading project management and team communication software company. David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH) is the co-founder and CTO of Basecamp, and also created the Ruby on Rails web development framework. Together, they've built a highly profitable company with a unique approach to business, rejecting venture capital and traditional growth-at-all-costs mentality.
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Final summary
Rework provides a powerful alternative to traditional business thinking, emphasizing simplicity, focus, and profitability over growth, complexity, and endless planning. The book's core message is that you can build a successful business on your own terms by ignoring conventional wisdom and focusing on what truly matters: creating value for customers while maintaining your sanity and freedom.
Inside the book
This extended outline captures Rework's key insights and practical applications. Use it to revisit the book's core concepts and apply them to your personal or professional growth.
The book's enduring value lies in its demonstration that meaningful insights can transform understanding and practice.
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