What even is automation?

Don’t you have to be some super smart programmer to automate stuff?

BTW: Don’t look up the definition of “automation” on Google, because it uses “automated” in its definition! Rant over about definitions that use their own word to explain themselves…

Let’s look at what the word means in its make-up: “self-acting.” (See https://www.etymonline.com/word/automaton)

When we reframe our concept of what automation is, it can become more accessible. Just like the word, technology doesn’t just mean, "hard stuff on computers," automation is merely a way of getting things done on their own—without our involvement, or at least, with as little effort on our part as possible.

There are lots of ways I’ve discovered to be automatic as I’ve looked for them. Sometimes it doesn’t involve physical objects at all. For example, I’ve come across the phrase,  forcing functions, which are essentially systems for accountability.

In order to stick to a goal, you need accountability to be built in. It often helps to involve other people, because the pressure to succeed becomes much more motivating. You don’t want to look lazy in front of your friends or your colleagues, right? By making a "function"—some process or thing—that forces you to succeed, you are, in a sense, automating your goal. The outcome starts to be realized seemingly on its own, because it's set up for success at the get-go.

Here’s the thing. I believe everyone can and should engage in automating parts of their lives. Some people are threatened by the idea of automation. Perhaps it’s because they’re afraid of losing their job, or maybe they are afraid of certain consequences (whether real or imagined), or maybe they feel threatened because they don't understand how it works.

Like most things, the more you understand, the less fearful you become.

My stance has been: automate everything possible. Why? Because computers and automation can give us back the only thing that really is valuable: time. When we have enough time to be creative and to be human, we are enabled to do amazing things. We don’t usually have that option because our lives are filled with so many meaningless tasks that work turns into “the grind” and the end of the work day is spent with mindless entertainment because of the mental drain from the day.

Let’s change that as much as possible!

We get a start by changing our outlook on automation. It’s not about how smart you are—it’s about discovering and noticing the small things that can become self-working. Use new ideas, processes, or, yes, technology to make these minor tasks go away or diminish in effort and time. As you engage in this, you’ll realize you’re just solving a puzzle: Finding pieces that fit together that reveal the color in life.