I’m David Heinemeier Hansson, CTO at Basecamp and This Is How I Work
The culture of Basecamp , the small company behind top-notch project management software, is renowned for its productivity and endurance. David Heinemeier Hansson, also known as DHH, is the developer behind Basecamp’s flagship product of the same name. He is also the creator of Ruby on Rails , the framework behind sites like Hulu, Airbnb, GitHub, and early Twitter. Outside of office hours, he is an international race car driver. We asked him how he works.
Location: Right now, Malibu, California. But I also spend time in Marbella, Spain and Chicago. Current concert: CTO @ Basecamp. One word that best describes how you work: effective. Current mobile device: iPhone X Current computer: iMac 27 “+ MacBook 12”
First of all, tell us a little about your past and how you reached your current state:
I got my first computer when I was 6. Amstrad 646. But I was not a computer prodigy. I tried to learn how to program but failed several times. Although in the end I scored a few games from the magazines. But mostly I just played other people’s games on computers.
Then, as a teenager, I ran a BBS for pirated Amiga software called Electronic Confusion. I learned all about modems, business cards and fascinating burglary and merchant scenes. Fond memories of lighting up my tiny bedroom with US Robotics modems when a dude from Holland called my modem.
It was through this involvement in the Amiga scene that I became friends with a group of programmers. They all worked in assembly or C to do demos or games, and by watching them work, I convinced myself that this was not my profession. Pointer arithmetic and vector computation were not my fun.
Then the Internet became a thing. I still liked games, so I ended up creating several websites to review games. In high school, I started a console review journal called konsollen.dk, which had 10 freelance writers and thousands of readers. We couldn’t afford to buy all the games for review, and the distributors didn’t answer calls from a 16-year-old asking for free games. But I ended up befriending a manager at a play store in Copenhagen, and he let me borrow all the new games for the week.
This led to the creation of quake3.dk in the lead up to Quake 3. It lasted for years. And finally, I created a dailyrush.dk that dealt with both consoles and PC games. It was a real startup. Created in an incubator. There is no business plan. Financing. Works. This was in 2000-2001.
Working on all of these projects made me learn PHP. Not because I wanted to become a programmer, but because I needed new features for my sites. Then, in 2001, I emailed Jason Fried of 37signals when he asked a question about PHP on his blog. He decided to hire me, not learn how to program.
Then the story moved on to Basecamp and Ruby on Rails, and here we are. 15 years later!
Tell us about a recent work day.
It depends on where I live. But in Malibu, that means getting up around 7:45, then taking your oldest child to kindergarten, and then starting work around 9:30.
I’m kind of a slow weirdo. Morning is busy with incoming stream. All emails, inquiries, PRs, chats, blah, blah. I catch up, participate, and then, if I’m lucky, start my work around noon.
This work varies widely. Sometimes it’s all about the letter. Jason and I are now writing a new book called Calm Company. But if it’s not a book, it’s often a new blog post. Or an idea for a conversation. Or ideas for Basecamp. There are many letters in my work.
Other days it all comes down to programming. This could be a new concept for Basecamp. Or it could be a code checkout for inclusion in Ruby on Rails. It’s a pleasure, however. I love programming.
But on other days, it still tickles the mechanics of running a 56-person company at Basecamp. There are not many layers or staff at Basecamp. There is no CFO or COO. There are no dedicated managers. So a lot of information about the company constantly pops up. I am trying to solve everything I can with minimal effort to get back to writing and programming. This usually works for the best. Less political scars, no interest in endless meetings, no appetite for plumpness.
What apps, gadgets or tools can’t you live without?
My favorite software is the writing environment.
I helped Allan shape TextMate 1 back in 2003 and it’s still my favorite text editor for code. You will have to pluck it from my dead cold hands!
But I also like iA Writer . This is how I write most of my prose. It’s beautiful, simple, no distractions.
Then there is OS X / iOS Notes. That’s where all these vague ideas for new blog posts, book essays, and speeches go.
I also love photography. My favorite combination is a Leica M camera and a 50mm Summilux lens , followed by image processing using Adobe Lightroom and VSCO presets . I have captured so many priceless memories with this combination. Especially after becoming a father. Children are great motivation to hone their photography.
Finally, I love mechanical watches. All kinds, but I have a particular soft spot for vintage Daytonas . Looking at a mechanical watch that is still ticking 40 years later is a great reminder of the pursuit of longevity. Create simpler things that last longer. Taking care of them. Make them go the distance.
How is your workplace arranged?
Rarely enough. My office only has a large white desk, a 27- inch iMac, a HiRise iPhone stand, and a glass water bottle. Yes, I’ve heard bullshit about cluttered tables, which are a sign of a brilliant mind. But I like neatness. Clutter is not calm, but calm is how I click.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
Say no. I am always amazed at the intricate web of commitment that most people can weave for themselves. I say no to almost everything. Then I can fully devote myself to the few things that I really prefer to do.
I am often asked questions about how I can work with Basecamp, program Ruby on Rails, write books, drive race cars, and improve my photographs. This is always a bit of a perplexing question because you have a lot of time for these things when you don’t fill your life with all kinds of other nonsense.
How do you keep track of what you need to do?
I really do not know. I try to keep up. I kind of obsessively empty my mailbox. Most emails can be answered as soon as you receive them if you just make a decision and answer it briefly. Most people’s mailboxes are full because they hesitate, so they put them aside, which only adds to their anxiety. Just call, which in my case is mostly no, and move on.
The only things I usually keep track of are things that are beyond my control. Like, we just finished building a house. I had to have a system to keep track of all the vendors, punch lists, etc. Luckily, Basecamp is perfect for this!
How do you replenish? What do you do when you want to forget about work?
I like working. The work is mainly related to programming and writing. Two of my favorite things in life. So I don’t have to “forget” about work.
But I need a recharge. A great work day is 4-5 really focused hours that lead to significant progress on a project or topic. Then all. I have found that squeezing every last drop out of a lemon is an unpleasant way of life.
So, I race all over the world in the World Endurance Championship. I love the feeling of total focus and flow that I can feel when driving. Delight in speed, overload and this shade of danger. It will erase the mind completely!
I am also a passionate photographer. It’s so nice to capture this perfect moment. The right composition in the right light. Getting flowers is just that. Expressions.
Finally, I love traveling with my family. Or maybe not the actual running part, I don’t know how many people the child likes to drag on the planes, but the experiencing part. It is a real pleasure to discover the world with your wife and children.
But hey, sometimes it’s just a pause before a show or Instagram.
What’s your favorite side project?
Is Ruby on Rails suitable as a side project? Yes I guess. That’s all!
What are you reading now or what do you recommend?
Debt Work : The First 5000 Years . A fascinating story of money, debt, barter, slavery, morality and all the connections between them.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Amor Fati.