Why I stopped repeating myself

Automation doesn’t start with fancy tools—it starts with paying attention. The small tasks we repeat every day can quietly eat up hours each month. In this issue, I’ll share how to spot those patterns, turn them into quick wins, and start building the habit of automation without getting overwhelmed

Small Tasks, Big Drain

I used to ignore small repetitive tasks because they felt too minor to matter. Things like setting up a new meeting document or moving files into folders didn’t seem worth the trouble.

But over time, I noticed how these seemingly “tiny” things stacked up.

A few minutes here and there became hours every month.

It wasn’t just about time, either—it was the mental clutter of doing the same thing over and over.

That’s when I realized automation isn’t about building complex systems. It’s about noticing repetition and fixing it once instead of forever.

How to Build the Habit

Here’s the simple process I follow now:

1. Notice what repeats. During my weekly review, I look for anything I’ve done more than twice.

2. Write it down. I write down the steps in plain language—no fancy formatting needed.

3. Automate or delegate. Tools like Zapier or Make are great for small triggers (like creating templates or moving files). If a task needs a human touch, I document it and hand off the final step.

One small win that stuck with me was automating my meeting notes template. I used to create it by hand every week. Now, it appears automatically, ready to go. That single change freed up mental space I didn’t even realize I was spending.

Automation doesn’t have to be perfect. Start with the easy 80%, and delegate the rest. The key is consistency—building the habit of looking for small time-savers. Over time, those little automations compound into big results.

Extra Extra

Here is a resource worth checking out if you want to dig deeper:

• Zapier’s Guide to Everyday Automation: A clear, simple breakdown of how to start automating personal and work tasks without coding.

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