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7 Rules To Do More Meaningful Work
May 4, 2024
4 MIN
You're likely familiar with these:
You're trying to juggle work and life, but it feels like an uphill battle.
Endless meetings consume your time with little to show for it.
Every day feels like a battle against the clock, yet nothing significant gets done.
You are drowning in tasks but starving for meaningful work.
These aren't just frustrations; they are the silent battles many of us face in the modern workplace. We're told to push harder, do more, and stretch ourselves thin—all under the guise of chasing productivity.
But what if the secret to real success is not about doing more, but doing better?
Over the past 5 years, I have read tons of books on business productivity, meaningful work, and building what matters.
While many have been insightful, only one consistently serves as my go-to for brutally honest, actionable advice on maximizing efficiency. "Rework" by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson.
In this post, I'll unpack how "Rework" can change the way you view your workload. We'll see how simplifying your approach can not only boost your output but also dramatically increase your job satisfaction and quality of life.
7 Rules To Do More Meaningful Work
Rule#1: Less is a good thing
"I don't have enough time/money/experience."
Stop whining.
Ever noticed that sometimes having too many options or resources can lead to decision paralysis? Well, here’s a thought: having less isn't just about making do; it’s about making things better.
Constraints are advantages in disguise. Limited resources force you to make do with what you've got. When you’re limited—whether by budget, time, or manpower—you're forced to think differently and act more decisively.
There's no room for waste. And that forces you to be creative.
Rule #2: Don’t make up problems you don’t have yet
“But what if …?” “
"What happens when …?”
“Don’t we need to plan for …?”
It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of worrying about issues that might never materialize.
Anticipating potential problems can seem like a prudent approach, but when it leads to constant worry about the future, it can detract from effectively managing the present. This mindset not only drains your mental energy but can also prevent you from fully engaging with the tasks that need your attention now.
It’s not a problem until it’s a real problem. Most of the things you worry about never happen anyway.
Rule #3: Workaholics aren't heroes
Working more doesn’t mean you care more or get more done.
It just means you work more. Workaholics don't save the day, they just use it up.
The real hero is home because (s)he figured out a faster way
Rule #4: Businesses worry about profit from day one
Every business is governed by the same set of rules: revenue in, expenses out.
Turn a profit or wind up gone. Many startups try to ignore the reality and postpone the inevitable.
Actual businesses worry about profit from day one.
Anyone who takes a "we'll figure out how to profit in the future" attitude to business is being ridiculous.That's like building a rocket ship but starting off by saying, "Let's pretend gravity doesn't exist."
Rule #5: Plan is a strategic guess
It doesn’t matter how much you plan, you’ll still get some stuff wrong anyway.
Don’t make things worse by overanalyzing and delaying before you even get going. Once you turn guesses into plans, you enter a danger zone.
They put blinders on you. “This is where we’re going because, well, that’s where we said we were going.” And that’s the problem: Plans are inconsistent with improvisation.
Rule #6: When you treat people like children, you get children’s work
A lot of companies and managers treat their employees like a children.
Employees need to ask permission before they can do anything. They need to get approval for every tiny expenditure. When everything constantly needs approval, you create a culture of nonthinkers.
Rule #7: Commit to making decisions - decisions are progress
“You can't build on top of "We'll decide later," but you can build on top of "Done.”
Whenever you can, swap "Let's think about it" for "Let's decide on it." When you get in that flow of making decision after decision, you build momentum and boost morale.
Final Thoughts
"Rework" is a perfect reality check book. I highly recommend always keeping it on your desk. Did any of these insights resonate with you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
If you're seeking ways to achieve more with less or to effectively differentiate between what's truly important and what's not in running your business, "Rework" is essential reading.
Here's link to the book.
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