“Inspiration is a now thing. If it grabs you, grab it right back and put it to work.”

ReWork – chapter 12 conclusion (inspiration is perishable)

“Don’t create a policy because one person did something wrong once. Policies are only meant for situations that come up over and over again.”

ReWork – chapter 11 culture (don’t scar on the first cut)

“Policies are organizational scar tissue. They are codified overreactions to situations that are unlikely to happen again. They are collective punishment for the misdeeds of an individual.”

ReWork – chapter 11 culture (don’t scar on the first cut)

“Writing is today’s currency for good ideas.”

ReWork – chapter 9 hiring (hire great writers)

“These early days of obscurity are something you’ll miss later on, when you’re really under the microscope. Now’s the time to take risks without worrying about embarrassing yourself.”

ReWork – chapter 8 promotion (welcome obscurity)

“How should you keep track of what customers want? Don’t. Listen, but then forget what people said. Seriously.

…

If there’s a request that you keep forgetting, that’s a sign that it isn’t very important. The really important stuff doesn’t go away.”

ReWork – chapter 7 evolution (Don’t write it down)

“In-media good isn’t nearly as important as at-home good. You can’t paint over a bad experience with good advertising or marketing.”

ReWork – chapter 7 evolution (be at-home good)

“Being great at a few things often doesn’t look all that flashy from afar. That’s OK. You’re aiming for a long-term relationship, not a one-night stand.”

ReWork – chapter 7 evolution (be at-home good)

“… let your latest grand ideas cool off for a while first. By all means, have as many great ideas as you can. Get excited about them. Just don’ act in the heat of the moment. Write them down and park them for a few days. Then, evaluate their actual priority with a calm mind.”

ReWork – chapter 7 evolution (don’t confuse enthusiasm with priority)

“Coming up with a great idea gives you a rush. You start imagining the possibilities and the benefits. And of course, you want all that right away. So you drop everything else you’re working on and begin pursuing your latest, greatest idea.

Bad move. The enthusiasm you have for a new idea is not an accurate indicator of its true worth. What seems like a sure-fire hit right now often gets downgraded to just a “nice to have” by morning. And “nice to have” isn’t worth putting everything else on hold.”

ReWork – chapter 7 evolution (don’t confuse enthusiasm with priority)