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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I wanted to love this book, I really did. Instead, the entire text read like a sales pitch for the authors’ company, Basecamp. I understand the references to the company were to show real world examples of how each guideline or rule has been successful, but the book left a lot to be desired. I’m giving two stars only because I was able to find some meaningful information that I can apply to my workplace.
informative
medium-paced
Quick and insightful. Offers some neat ideas for how to work to live, rather than live to work. May not apply to every manager or industry, but something from this will stick with you! Recommended for frazzled professionals and anyone who wakes up in the middle of the night thinking about their to-do list.
It' a good compendium on what to do (Protect your time) why (More focus, less distractions, more sanity.
I really like their style. "Fuck this" and "bullshit" and all these words a lot of people use but you don't usually find in a book make it very honest.
I really like their style. "Fuck this" and "bullshit" and all these words a lot of people use but you don't usually find in a book make it very honest.
The message is important: a company has the agency to dismiss most business practices and advice — growth at all costs, change for change's sake, working its staff to the bone — and still thrive. I applaud their consistency, year after year, in pointing at their own success as proof.
If you read their blog and Twitter accounts, this book provides very little that's new. Like "Remote", it's more pamphlet (size included) than deep exploration, and, while I think manifestos and clever turns of sentence have their charm, it'd be a lot more valuable had they expanded on their decision-making (i.e. fill-in the blanks between "that was then" and "this is now").
If you read their blog and Twitter accounts, this book provides very little that's new. Like "Remote", it's more pamphlet (size included) than deep exploration, and, while I think manifestos and clever turns of sentence have their charm, it'd be a lot more valuable had they expanded on their decision-making (i.e. fill-in the blanks between "that was then" and "this is now").
Inspired by what they’ve done with Basecamp - but not particularly useful advice, unless you’re running or about to launch your own company. But still a good reminder that the cult of work we live in right now isn’t the only way.
This is fresh read for everyone with a job. I enjoyed the authors’ previous book ‘Rework’ and while this is is similar it’s also wiser - they have had more experience to draw from and why can’t I work there???
I could say I don’t agree with everything they proposed but actually I do agree with everything they proposed. The best advice is not the paid for vacations, sabbaticals, or continuing education, which I would love. It’s not railing against the “free perks” like dinner, fooseball, and smartphones, which I have experienced. It’s about not forcing customers to upgrade to a new product. All the others could be written off as wishful thinking or over benevolent but this advice I could have used 5 years ago and is spot on. It lends credibility to their other takes. Really enjoyed this quick and fresh read. It doesn’t have to be crazy at work!!!!
I could say I don’t agree with everything they proposed but actually I do agree with everything they proposed. The best advice is not the paid for vacations, sabbaticals, or continuing education, which I would love. It’s not railing against the “free perks” like dinner, fooseball, and smartphones, which I have experienced. It’s about not forcing customers to upgrade to a new product. All the others could be written off as wishful thinking or over benevolent but this advice I could have used 5 years ago and is spot on. It lends credibility to their other takes. Really enjoyed this quick and fresh read. It doesn’t have to be crazy at work!!!!
Well, most of the advice sounded very obvious to me but someone had to say it out loud so they did.
In a nutshell, the world is not going to fall apart if you don't fix it and if it does, it is not your fault. the world not going to be fixed because of you and if it does, it won't be because of you. So work not as if you are going to fix the world or not fix it, keep reminding yourself to value your life and being for what it is.
They get one star for choosing to write about things that despite their logical simplicity and obviousness have lost value in the bubbles of entrepreneurship and businesses which run with the repetitive ethos of "make-fast, break-fast" which extend not just to products processes but how people function in those processes. They get another for writing it. They get none for doing a great writing job though. Definitely could use a better editor.
Kudos to the writers for running a "calm" company and valuing it a lot more than the toxicity that comes with the unchecked competitive drive.
In a nutshell, the world is not going to fall apart if you don't fix it and if it does, it is not your fault. the world not going to be fixed because of you and if it does, it won't be because of you. So work not as if you are going to fix the world or not fix it, keep reminding yourself to value your life and being for what it is.
They get one star for choosing to write about things that despite their logical simplicity and obviousness have lost value in the bubbles of entrepreneurship and businesses which run with the repetitive ethos of "make-fast, break-fast" which extend not just to products processes but how people function in those processes. They get another for writing it. They get none for doing a great writing job though. Definitely could use a better editor.
Kudos to the writers for running a "calm" company and valuing it a lot more than the toxicity that comes with the unchecked competitive drive.
Interesting ideas in the book (and it is important stuff) but it's basically Basecamp advertising and I wish that was made more clear pre-purchase...
Truly a fantastic book. I started reading this book on a Tuesday, and on Wednesday I was already making changes to my choices at work. Even if you don’t have the power to make big changes happen at your office, this book will help you change your own actions and your own expectations. I got my copy from the library but I will definitely be buying one to keep.