Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work summary
Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Reclaim your work-life balance
21 mins
Brief summary
It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work is a guidebook for creating calmer, more productive work environments. Authors, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, challenge traditional notions of workplace culture to offer practical techniques for achieving sustainable business growth.
Topics
Table of Contents
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
To scale back the crazy at work, start thinking of your company as a product.
How many times have you burst through your front door after a long day, collapsed on the sofa and exclaimed, “It’s so crazy at work!” Unfortunately, in our modern era of long hours, early starts and weekend work sessions, this scenario can be a nightly occurrence. Welcome to the workaholic world, in which 70 to 80-hour weeks have somehow become the norm. What’s the end result of this crazy working culture?
Unfortunately, it’s not higher productivity. More often than not, all the extra hours you spend at your desk aren’t spent on work that’s vital. Instead, they’re frittered away in a haze of anxiety and distractions brought about by the demands of new technologies and endless meetings.
In fact, the real outcome of long and hectic work days is added stress. This stress originates in the culture of our workplaces. Unhealthy workplace culture starts from the top and is handed down to managers, their subordinates and even the company’s customers. So, what’s the solution? How can organizations stop stress, change their culture and still maintain profitability?
Well, the authors believe it all begins with changing the way you view your company. To begin with, you should start looking at it like a product, and treating it accordingly. Though this might seem like a crazy idea, look at it this way: If your company produces products, the company itself is also a tool - one that is used to make those products.
Bearing that in mind, there are certain questions any good product manager should ask himself. Is your company simple for employees to use, or is it complicated? Where is it fast, and where is it slow? Does your company have any bugs that need fixing? Just as the best companies never stop trying to make their products as good as possible, a product manager with a curious mindset is continually searching for places to make improvements in company culture.
And once you start searching, brace yourself - there will definitely be room for improvement.
Indeed, organizations often share one very important trait with software. That trait? They both tend to have areas in which they crash, due to either faulty design or oversights on the part of the developer. Luckily, you’re about to discover how you can phase out the crazy and usher in an atmosphere of lasting calm in your company.
Want to see all full key ideas from It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work?
Key ideas in It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work about?
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work (2019) is a refreshing antidote to dysfunctional work culture. Drawing on real-world examples from the authors’ successful software company, these blinks shine a light on how we can say goodbye to habitual workplace stress and become calm, focused and efficient.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work Review
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work (2018) is a valuable read for anyone looking to create a more sustainable and sane work environment. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- Offering a refreshing perspective, it challenges the commonly accepted norms of the modern workplace, urging readers to prioritize their well-being and productivity.
- With its practical tips and strategies, the book provides actionable ways to reduce stress, increase focus, and foster a healthier work-life balance.
- Rooted in the authors' personal experiences at Basecamp, the book offers authentic and honest insights into how they've managed to maintain a calm and productive work culture.
Best quote from It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
Alls fair in love and war. Except this isnt love, and it isnt war. Its business.
—Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Who should read It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work?
- High achievers longing for a better work-life balance
- Managers looking for a fresh perspective
- Entrepreneurs trying to de-stress
Categories with It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
Book summaries like It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work FAQs
What is the main message of It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work?
The main message of It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work is that work doesn't have to be chaotic and stressful to be successful.
How long does it take to read It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work?
The reading time for It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work a good book? Is it worth reading?
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work is a worthwhile read for anyone seeking a healthier and more sustainable approach to work.
Who is the author of It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work?
The authors of It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work are Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.
What to read after It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work?
If you're wondering what to read next after It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
- The 4 Day Week by Andrew Barnes with Stephanie Jones
- ReWork by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
- Work Smarter not Harder (single sourced article) by The Blinkist Team
- Less Doing, More Living by Ari Meisel
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
- The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking by Michael D. Watkins
- The First Rule of Mastery by Michael Gervais
- The Power of When by Michael Breus