Rework

Meetings are Toxic

I hardly shout at all, but I have to make an exception. GET THIS BOOK!!!!!! Seriously!

Rework, by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson is a must-read. I won't try to summarize it, you need to experience every word. I will note some of my favorite parts:

"Workaholics aren’t heroes. They don’t save the day, they just use it up. The real hero is already home because she figured out a faster way to get things done."
"Working without a plan may seem scary. But blindly following a plan that has no relationship with reality is even scarier."
"Interruption is the enemy of productivity. The worst interruptions of all are meetings. Meetings are toxic."
"When everything needs constant approval, you create a culture of non-thinkers."

There is so much more, you just have to read it. It's general enough that anyone with a job can apply it but it also has specific wisdom for those starting a new venture. The amazing artwork by Mike Rohde is the icing on this cake of business wisdom. Yum.

To get a feel for the book, visit http://37signals.com/rework/

Get your own copy: Rework

UPDATE: In response to Rework, Happy Cog has published An Open Letter to 37signals calling for better meetings, instead of throwing them out.