Saved by Tom So and
Reminiscing: the retreat to comforting work.
Like John McPhee waiting on the picnic table for insight on his article structure, Zuiker’s efforts point toward a definition of meaningful and valuable work that doesn’t require a frenetic busyness. Its magic instead becomes apparent at longer timescales, emanating from a pace that seems, in comparison with the relentless demands of high-tech pseu
... See moreCal Newport • Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
The thread that unites these three goals is the idea of service. When I think about spending less time on management, it makes me worried I’m being selfish. But I realized a core thing I am good at, one of my unique superpowers, is producing creative work. And I am at my best when I’m producing creative work that’s meant as a gift for other people.... See more
Nathan Baschez • Year Two
To test this theory, 37signals implemented something radical: The company gave its employees the entire month of June off to work deeply on their own projects. This month would be a period free of any shallow work obligations—no status meetings, no memos, and, blessedly, no PowerPoint. At the end of the month, the company held a “pitch day” in whic
... See moreCal Newport • Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
One of Basecamp’s more striking policies is the consolidation of work into “cycles.” Each such cycle lasts from six to eight weeks. During those weeks, teams focus on clear and urgent goals. Crucially, each cycle is then followed by a two-week “cooldown” period in which employees can recharge while fixing small issues and deciding what to tackle ne
... See more