REWORK

The Outwork Myth

Nov 29, 2023

Dismantling the myth of constant busyness in the workplace, this podcast emphasizes the importance of quality work over quantity of hours. They discuss work-life balance, avoiding burnout, and strategies for rewarding high performers. They also explore assessing work ethic in the hiring process, highlighting the significance of observing work ethic over time and indicators in different roles.

30:01

AI Summary

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Work ethic is not about working more than others, but about the quality of work produced and not wasting time.

Taking breaks and avoiding burnout is essential for maintaining productivity, and recognition of high performers should be based on more than just working longer hours or producing more output.

Deep dives

Work ethic is not just about putting in more hours

The concept of work ethic is often misunderstood as simply putting in more hours. However, work ethic is about more than just the amount of time spent working. It encompasses factors such as showing up on time, being helpful, putting in your best work, and not wasting time. It is not about working more than others or outworking the world. While some people may be exceptionally productive when putting in extra hours, for most individuals, a few good hours of focused work can be considered a successful day. Additionally, the mindset that equates working more hours with being more dedicated is flawed and can lead to exhaustion and burnout.

Importance of Polished Code and Care in Job Applications

01:14

Recognizing High Performers and Rewards in the Company

01:59

The Problem with Overworking and Micromanaging in Business

01:21

Introduction

4min

The Flawed Myth of Busyness and Managing Others' Work

3min

Work-Life Balance and Avoiding Burnout

7min

Rewarding High Performers

9min

Assessing Work Ethic in the Hiring Process

7min

In today's hustle-centric work environment, there's a prevailing pressure to showcase constant busyness, sometimes at the expense of genuine productivity.

However, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson present a refreshing perspective in their book "It Doesn't Have To Be Crazy Work," where the emphasis is on the quality of your time rather than the quantity.

Join Jason and David as they sit down with Kimberly Rhodes to dismantle the myth of the "outwork" mentality and delve into the nuances of work ethic, productivity, and career advancement within the constantly changing dynamics of the workplace.

Listen in as they discuss how to gauge authenticity and diligence during the recruitment process. Additionally, a listener question from Keith leads to insights on recognizing and rewarding high performers at 37signals.

Tune in as they peel back the layers of productivity to construct a thriving work environment and a healthy work-life balance.

Check out the full video episode on YouTube

Key Takeaways:

What’s more important than the quantity of hours you work? The idea that working harder than everyone else guarantees success is debunked.
Jason emphasizes the importance of not wasting time and avoiding unnecessary work that doesn't add value.
David highlights that the focus should be on how time is spent and the quality of work produced.
The pitfalls of busyness and trying to prove one’s worth can lead not only to inefficiency but also to being a nuisance to the team.
The real threat of burnout and ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The pivotal role managers play in ensuring team members do not overwork and have the space to disconnect.
The value of stretch goals—Jason and David discuss the importance of finding a middle ground between a steady state and occasionally pushing boundaries and finding a balance that fosters creativity, efficiency, and well-being.
Why an internal locus of progress is crucial for thriving as a member of the 37signals team.

Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter).

If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.

Links and Resources:

It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work

Books by 37signals

37signals Introduces ONCE | REWORK

Introducing ONCE

HEY World | HEY

The REWORK podcast

The 37signals Dev Blog

37signals on YouTube

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

@37signals on X

37signals on LinkedIn