Automate Your Busywork

1Automation Fundamentals

If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.

—Lao Tzu

First, I want to share an assumption I've made while writing this book. I believe that some of you are so awash in busywork that you don't currently have time for thinking and plotting—you're just desperately seeking quick solutions. You'll find such solutions identified as Quick Fixes, and the first one is just ahead.

And yet, I also know from experience that deeply productive automation can't be simply unboxed and plugged in. To truly conquer your busywork, you'll need to put in time and effort to determine precisely what needs to be automated. But I promise you, the benefits will come back to you in spades—in part because you'll likely identify tasks that could be greatly reduced or even cut out completely. So I ask you to trust me. Take advantage of the quick fixes to save some time now, and then please also commit to designing and implementing the automations that will ultimately revolutionize your work life.

Identify Your Busywork, Define Your Meaningful Work

First, picture for a moment your most dreaded busywork—the stuff that just thinking about makes you want to leap into the ocean, never to be seen again. Pretending to tame your never‐ending to‐do list? Invoicing? Heading into yet another meeting? Invoicing?

No matter what your busywork is, there's a good chance it can be partially or even fully automated—if not now, then likely soon. As for right now: even ...