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Jason Fried: It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work – Love Your Work, Episode 147
You hear it all of the time. Maybe you even say it yourself: It’s “crazy” at work. There are unrealistic deadlines, demanding bosses, and wall-to-wall meetings.
Jason Fried (@jasonfried) believes it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, he’ll tell you why in his new book, called It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work.

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Jason needs no introduction for many of you, but for everyone else: Jason is the CEO of Basecamp, which is simple yet powerful project management software. Basecamp the software has a long history of staying simple even when it doesn’t make intuitive sense. Basecamp the company, with Jason at the helm, has a long history of espousing sensible work practices, even when they don’t make intuitive sense.
We’ll talk about:
- What’s the difference between deadlines, and “dreadlines?” How can this simple distinction help you stay in control of your projects?
- How does Jason and his company struggle with it being “crazy” at work, and what do they do about it? Hear about their fascinating “uphill/downhill” tactic for deciding when to quit a project that just won’t end.
- Hear specific ways to handle clients that make it “crazy” at work. Jason will tell you exactly what to say, and guide you through a real-life scenario using the stoic technique of “negative visualization.”
Jason was the very first guest on Love Your Work, three years ago. I’m thrilled to have him back.
Image credit: Michael Berger
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Theme music: Dorena “At Sea”, from the album About Everything And More. By Arrangement with Deep Elm Records. Listen on Spotify »