You’re sitting in your cubicle, trying to get a grant proposal finished.  Through the thin plastic wall, Ted’s yammering away on the phone.  The phone message light is flashing red, like an emergency beacon signalling your imminent overload.  And then Shannon sticks her head around the corner, and asks if you have a sec…just one second…

Getting things done shouldn’t be this hard.  And I’ve recently found some interesting thoughts on how to make it easier.  Most recently, I read an O'Reilly interview with Jason Fried, the founder of software company 37signals.  It’s a fascinating chat, because it’s not so much about his software. 

37signals makes tools for online collaboration, like Basecamp and Campfire.  They are great tools, and I’m happy to recommend them.

But the O’Reilly interview focuses on how 37signals works as a company.  Turns out that there are a few zen-like secrets to their success. More...