Business Book Club: Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

I've set myself a goal to blog about the books I read. I will extract wisdom from the best business and personal development books I've read and share it with you. Here’s what I took from Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.

The Book

Rework is a no-nonsense take on building a business, leading teams and getting work done without overcomplicating everything. Instead of encouraging us to plan endlessly, scale quickly or imitate what everyone else is doing, the book takes the opposite stance. It advocates simplicity, clarity and a willingness to trust your own judgement.

The authors challenge a lot of the mythology that surrounds entrepreneurship. Rather than chasing investment, polishing pitch decks or building elaborate systems, they argue for focusing on what customers actually need and stripping everything back to the essentials. It’s concise, clear and occasionally a little provocative.

What Have I Learned?

You need less than you think

This idea runs through the whole book. We often add more because it feels right: more preparation, more resources, more planning before we’re “ready.” Fried and Hansson challenge that instinct by pointing out that most of what we think we need is optional. Stripping things back forces clarity. It helps you focus on the work rather than the nonsense around the work. It’s a nudge to stop hiding behind preparation and start doing the thing you actually set out to do. A common problem I’ve seen when coaching new business owners.

Start a business, not a start-up

The authors argue that the modern start-up world has become a performance, full of jargon, inflated ambition and a pressure to scale before you’ve solved a real problem. Instead, they invite us to build something smaller, steadier and more honest. A business exists to serve customers and generate value. Reading this made me think about where energy can get wasted, and how focusing on the basics often leads to better decisions.

Embrace constraints

This complemented an idea from one of my previous reads, Stretch by Scott Sonenshein, constraints sharpen thinking. They force you to prioritise and be resourceful. They also prevent you from drifting into unnecessary complexity “just because you can.” Whether it’s limited time, money, people or tools, the message is the same: use it to your advantage. Some of the most interesting ideas emerge when you stop expecting perfect conditions.

Throw less at the problem

Our natural response to a challenge is often to add: more money, more meetings, more people in the room. Rework questions that idea. Removing moving parts can make the real issue more visible. It’s a reminder that complexity is not a sign of progress; clarity is. This section made me reflect on moments where I’ve overcomplicated things instead of stepping back and cutting away what wasn’t helping.

Good enough is fine

This chapter takes aim at perfectionism. The authors argue that the quest for perfection slows you down. “Good enough” isn’t about lowering standards, it’s about getting something useful into the world so you can learn from it. Progress comes from iteration, not endless polishing. Momentum creates improvement far more effectively than endless refinement does. It’s better to start with something. You can always refine from there.

Reasons to quit

This chapter stood out because it challenges the unhelpful idea that perseverance is always virtuous. The authors argue that sometimes the smartest thing you can do is stop and walk away from an idea that isn’t serving you. Not quitting out of fear or frustration, but because continuing would drain time and attention from what genuinely matters. It’s a refreshing reminder that focus often comes from letting go, not pushing on.

Scratch your own itch

The authors make a strong case for solving problems you actually have. Instead of trying to imagine what a theoretical customer might want, start with the frustrations, gaps or inefficiencies you encounter yourself. It’s a practical way to stay grounded and it removes the guesswork. You are most passionate about your own problems and when you focus on those you are more likely to meet a genuine need.

What Did I Think of the Book?

I really enjoyed Rework. It’s one of those books where I couldn’t quite tell whether I loved it because it echoed ideas I already believe, or because it genuinely gave me something new. I suspect it was a bit of both.

I liked the counter-intuitive advice and the down-to-earth tone. Nothing is padded. Just clear, practical ideas delivered in bite size chunks, one after the other.

If you’re building a business, leading a team or simply trying to work in a calmer, more intentional way, this is well worth your time. It’s short enough to read quickly but provides enough substance to spark ongoing reflection.