REWORK

Calendar Tetris

Dec 6, 2023

Learn how modern scheduling tools disrupt productivity, explore the negative impact of meetings and the importance of meaningful work, discover a work culture where meetings are optional and tasks are prioritized, and get a sneak peek of HEY Calendar, the innovative calendar product from 37signals.

19:33

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Quick takeaways

Shared calendars can hinder individual productivity and focus by fragmenting time into small, disjointed chunks.

Asking for someone's time through conversation fosters intentionality and reduces unnecessary meetings, promoting productivity and meaningful work.

Deep dives

Shared Work Calendars: Destructive Inventions of Modern Times

The founders of 37 Signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemare Hanson, express their strong belief that shared work calendars are highly destructive. At 37 Signals, they deliberately avoid shared calendars, emphasizing the importance of asking for someone's time instead of simply taking it. They argue that modern calendars make it too easy to occupy others' time with little consideration for the chunks it splits their day into. Fried and Hanson view calendar additions as taking away free time, space, and the ability to focus on meaningful work. They believe that shared calendars contribute to the overall problem of individuals lacking control over their own time.

Shared Calendars and the Value of Asking for Time

01:55

Different Teams' Approach to Meetings and Social Gatherings

01:57

Introduction

3min

Calendar Tetris: The Discontent of Busy Meetings and the Importance of Meaningful Work

5min

The Negative Impact of a Busy Calendar on Productivity and Work-Life Balance

4min

Scheduling and Attendance at the Company

4min

Developing a Calendar Product with Focus on Personal Time

3min

Ever find yourself trapped in a game of "Calendar Tetris," where each meeting block interrupts the natural flow of your day, leaving you little room for meaningful work?

Today on Rework, host Kimberly Rhodes sits down with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson to discuss the pitfalls of modern scheduling tools and their impact on productivity from their book, It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work.

Listen in as they walk listeners through scheduling at 37signals, where they don't share calendars, and everyone is in control of their own time.

Plus, tune in for a sneak peek of the upcoming HEY Calendar, with innovative features designed to empower you to regain control of your time.

Key Takeaways:

Learn the biggest problem with calendar Tetris and how these small, disjointed chunks hinder individual productivity and focus.
Conversation over convenience - why actively asking for someone's time through conversation helps to foster intentionality (and reduces unnecessary meetings).
Explore how 37signals redefines scheduling to empower individuals with full control over their time.
Learn how the strategic introduction of scheduling friction prevents a culture of excessive meetings, fostering a shift toward asynchronous work.
Discover a work culture where meetings are optional, highlighting the significance of prioritizing tasks with personal meaning.
HEY is introducing a calendar! Just as the 37signals team revolutionized email, they've now transformed calendaring for 2024.

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:

From David's HEY World: Just let me do my job

From Jason's LinkedIn: What my calendar looks like

It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work

Books by 37signals

HEY World | HEY

The REWORK podcast

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

The 37signals Dev Blog

37signals on YouTube

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

@37signals on X