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It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work

By: Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
Narrated by: Eileen Stevens
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Publisher's summary

In this timely manifesto, the authors of the New York Times best-seller Rework broadly reject the prevailing notion that long hours, aggressive hustle, and "whatever it takes" are required to run a successful business today.

In Rework, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson introduced a new path to working effectively. Now, they build on their message with a bold, iconoclastic strategy for creating the ideal company culture - what they call "the calm company". Their approach directly attacks the chaos, anxiety, and stress that plagues millions of workplaces and hampers billions of workers every day.

Long hours, an excessive workload, and a lack of sleep have become a badge of honor for modern professionals. But it should be a mark of stupidity, the authors argue. Sadly, this isn’t just a problem for large organizations - individuals, contractors, and solopreneurs are burning themselves out the same way. The answer to better productivity isn’t more hours - it’s less waste and fewer things that induce distraction and persistent stress.

It’s time to stop celebrating crazy and start celebrating calm, Fried and Hansson assert.

Fried and Hansson have the proof to back up their argument. "Calm" has been the cornerstone of their company’s culture since Basecamp began 20 years ago. Destined to become the management guide for the next generation, It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work is a practical and inspiring distillation of their insights and experiences. It isn’t an audiobook telling you what to do. It’s an audiobook showing you what they’ve done - and how any manager or executive, no matter the industry or size of the company, can do it, too.

©2018 Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work

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A More Sensible Way...

This simply reinforces why I want to work for and with Jason, David, and the Basecamp contingent, as they understand people and product come before profit, not in spite of or in light of. If you pour your curious heart into working effectively towards the best product, you will inevitably create all the desires and efficiencies in the workspace.

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Amazing

If you're involved in business, listen to this book. Plain and simple. Basecamp is doing it right.

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Holy Crap

This is the most well organized company there is. I don't know all of them, but this opportunity of working at Basecamp has more to offer then Google and Mindvalley. This is inspirational.

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Excellent perspective on business

I have used basecamp for several years and appreciate so much their perspective. They believe in their employees thriving and have molded their practice around that core value.

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Good reminders of what's possible

Much of the advice will be tough to pull off on a VC-backed startup, but I believe the principles are worth striving for in any company that values employees over growth.

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Confirming and inspiring.

Ideas I had when I when I was a kid and I was discovering the world got stepped in when I grew and entered in the corporate "adult" world. This book brings these simple, clear and powerful ideas back and shows that we weren't wrong.

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Radically Appealing!!

While not everyone will be ready for this journey to a radically better culture, those that are will gain significant wisdom, opportunity, and wonder as motivation. Thank you for delivering a great view into Basecamp's world!!

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Amazing book that everyone in the software industry should read, period.

If you’re in a software industry (and a bunch of other industries to be honest), this book is a must read whether you’re running a company, leading a team or just working.
There’s just so much good stuff in this book!
Just go read it. Read it now. Stop reading this review and read the book.

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A Must

Loved it! Let's make it so in our work environments. The business culture described is one in which so many people could thrive and contribute. I know I'll refer to this book many times going forward, and will recommend it frequently.

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Helpful and interesting

It is helpful and interesting and I hope to implement many of the ideas but the book has no flow or narrative organization and seems like a collection of chapters.

I really appreciate the perspective and a business book not being all about money and efficiency and drive for more.

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