Automate. Automate. Automate. I keep coming across this theme more and more frequently, and I have been working to embrace it wherever I can.
The Power of Zapier
A little over a year ago, we started using Zapier to automate some of our business tasks. Each time I find some new task to automate, I get nerdy excited to go through the process of setting up the automation and even more excited to see it work. I haven’t taken the time to tally it all up, but I know I have saved us hours of unnecessary work by taking a little bit of time to set up these automation.
Why Automate?
But why is automation so important? Well, a big part is that making decisions (no matter how big or small) is a mentally draining activity, and identifying ways to automate things in your life can help to minimize decision fatigue.
- Kahneman talks about this in Thinking Fast and Slow in how he describes System 2 thinking as effortful and how it can lead to cognitive fatigue, affecting subsequent decisions.
- McKeown discusses it in both Effortless and Essentialism and identifies ways to avoid decision fatigue.
- In Deep Work, Newport identifies how reducing distractions can help to preserve your mental energy.
- Clear’s book, Atomic Habits, revolves around habit formation to minimize decision fatigue.
The Long-term Benefits
Even though it may take some upfront time to get the automation set up (time to break down the task, identify where and how it can be automated, and then set up and test that automation), it is so worth it in the long run. With my quarterly ABC Model goals, I aim to find something new each quarter to automate - this process of tasking myself has been helpful. Find what works for you and your business.
Ponder This
- What business tasks can you automate to reduce decision fatigue and save time?
- How will automate these tasks impact your productivity and mental energy?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Books
- Effortless - Greg McKeown
- Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman
- Deep Work - Cal Newport
- Atomic Habits - James Clear
Comments