BrnDmp

Rework rehashed

Hans de Zwart and I write a monthly series titled: Parallax. We both agree on a title for the post and on some other arbitrary restrictions to induce our creative process. For this post we agreed to write about the 37signals book Rework. Each of us will write about the three things in the book that we already do, about three things we will do from now on going forward and about three things that we wish our employers would do from now on. You can read Hans’ post with the same title here.

I had a tough time reading this book. I do basically agree with all the things stated in the one page chapters. Most of my ‘career’ is even based on the spirit advocated by the book. But the writing style and the way of arguing were driving me crazy. The pattern is as follows: “Lot’s of people say you can’t do X. But look at us! We did X, so it is possible”. For me that reads as: “Lot’s of people say you shouldn’t base your life’s path on winning the lottery. But look at me! I won the lottery, so it is possible”. Yes it indeed is but don’t underestimate Lady Luck. She’s a bitch called hope. And hope is for the weak.

Here are my three lists:

Done

Go to sleep: this could be my life’s motto. You will never be creative or productive when your tired. That goes for physical as well as mental tiredness.

Embrace constraints: this Parallax series is based on this principle. Constraints boost creativity. Constraints are freedom.

Sound like you: I don not possess many qualities but you can be sure that I never ever write or produce anything which is not me. I say and do as I think and try to do that in the best way I can.

TODO

Your estimates  suck: I often tend to plan too much and too far ahead. I should really limit my planning to 1 to 3 weeks ahead and for the rest depend on vision and strategy.

Don’t confuse enthusiasm with priority: I sometimes let myself be carried away by my enthusiasm about new stuff whereas it would have been better to first finish other things up or focus on useful quick wins.

Sell your by-products: interesting thought. I never really thought about focusing on 1 product / service and see the rest as by-products. So maybe for me it should be: focus on your main products, the rest are by-products.

The hand that feeds you

Hire managers of 1: I’ll be so arrogant to state I myself am a manager of 1. I hope that my bosses realise that those are the persons that will make our company stronger.

Build an audience / Out teach your competition: our company is still only famous in it’s own parish. We should get out to the world and blog, microblog and organise workshops and seminars, go to conferences more.

Resumes are ridiculous / Years of irrelevance: anyone can write an impressive resume and everyone can suck at a job for a very long time. But that doesn’t make them good people for your company. Always rely on solid interviews and make sure you test drive newly hired staff.