In Part 1: Delegation, we began to look at ways to find more time for our creativity by gaining the help from others using the power of delegation.
Whilst delegating is perhaps more of a manual task requiring skill and practice, you may find that some routine tasks begin to find their own place with the introduction of systematic resources or devices that automate tasks by design.
Automation
The Free Dictionary refers to automation as,
- The automatic operation or control of equipment, a process, or a system
- The techniques and equipment used to achieve automatic operation or control
- The condition of being automatically controlled or operated
It would be expected for one to think of automation as only applying to those who code computer programs or manage complex biscuit manufacturing production lines. However, in the context of finding more time for our creativity, it’s perhaps more important to introduce the concept as an ‘attitude of efficiency’ as well as simply introducing mechanised processes to replace and free up our labour.
The clues to how we could apply such a mind-set, in context of the description above, pivot around the words techniques and achieving automatic operation.
So what can we automate?
To give more of an idea, whilst writing this post over the last few weeks I’ve (unknowingly) introduced automation that has included:
- A selective iTunes library synchronisation
- Automated laptop backups of song material
- Subscriptions to newsletters of bloggers I follow
- Setting up ‘Send and Archive‘ in my Gmail in-box
- Adding news feeds to my Google reader
Recommended action:
By asking ourselves some key questions, we can conciously identify new opportunities for automation. For example,
- Firstly, is my task a routine one? i.e. Have I executed this task more than once?
- Does the task routinely follow the same process?
- Can my process be performed automatically by introducing a new component (e.g. drum machine or piece of software)?
If you find your process could be performed by someone else rather than something else i.e. a service, then you may find delegation is more appropriate than automation. It’s just a terminology thing. What is important is the mind-set of ‘out-sourcing’ tasks and processes elsewhere so you can concentrate on the really important stuff. Priorities.
Review
Having identified and tested a suitable automation opportunity it may be wise to review how it’s going after a short period of time by asking:
- Is the role of managing this task or process saving my time or wasting my time?
- Is this approach cost-effective?
- Am I prepared to invest further in the work of automating this process to gain a better return on that investment over time?
Perhaps next time you need 100 CDs duplicating you could call your local CD duplicator and save your Mac’s hard-working laser burner. The opportunity may cost a little more than the purchase of some blank labels and media, however, there’s every chance they can do a deal for you and it works out a little less. Either way, it will give you the time you hadn’t otherwise had doing what only you can do.
What have you been automating recently? Have you got any great ideas about further automation?
Don’t miss out on Part 1: Delegation or Part 3: Take More Breaks
Photo credit: © Sandra Farrow
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