I was inspired by another post on here to sit down and automate some stuff. What apps have you used to automate things for you? Get specific what automations or workflows are you working on? And yes I just spent an hour automating things to avoid a different task.

I have a Trello and finally made a daily to do card for work. My reoccurring tasks (things I have to once a week or even every day) now have appropriate repeats set.

I downloaded buzzkill and set up some rules. Namely a certain group chat has a cool down, if my partner messages me it reminds me until I respond (though I’m going to have to retrain my brain not to automatically dismiss the notification). Notifications from my personal email are silenced until end of work day. My lightening tracker app (I work outside a decent bit) alarms when lightening is within five miles and just notifies me at ten miles.

I downloaded routinery and created a morning and end of day routine. Though I’m sick of this subscription bull. I wouldn’t mind trying an app and if I like it paying full one time but the moment there is a subscription you can bet I’m refusing to go pro or upgrade.

I made a paper check list to review everyday for a work task that has multiple steps that I sometimes forget one of due to the loud noise, overwhelmed senses and time crunch that happens when doing said task. It’s weird but I cant necessarily carry my phone or checklist at that part of work so maybe if I just memorize all the steps I will be better.

I have an nfc tag taped to the top of my washer that auto starts a timer when tapped.

  • ginaEnglish
    1•1 year ago

    What I run into with automations is that I get so excited and focused on the process of setting up a system that I don’t always stop to think about if it’s really going to benefit me. When I found Amazing Marvin, I set up the most bonkers convoluted system and it was an amazing rush, but then when I was done I had no real desire to use it. It’s not really a big deal because I usually just write it off as entertainment, but I do sometimes feel like I’m always on the lookout for the magic app or automation and once I find it my whole life will be smooth sailing.

    That said, I have found that the best automations for me are the simplest:

    • Home automations - I have some lights set to turn on/off at certain times of day and the shades open in the morning and close in the evening. I got in pretty deep with the home automations at one point because it was fun, but lights/shades are really the only ones I stuck with.

     

    • Tasks - I feel like I’ve tried every app out there, but I’ve been using TickTick for the past 6 months, which is probably at least 3x longer than I’ve lasted with any other app. I like the combination of task/calendar and the visual focus mode, where you just see a big timer and the task you are supposed to be focused on. I have some recurring tasks set up for routines (morning, wrapping up work, etc.) For habits I really like the app Streaks on iOS.

     

    • Reminders - I take more of an “only notify is there is a problem” approach because of how quickly reminders become meaningless to me. I also like to have something visual that I can’t easily dismiss. For example, at one point I had an iOS shortcut that would run at a certain time in the morning to check Streaks to see if I had taken my medication. If I hadn’t it would change my phone wallpaper to something I hated. I also tried out something similar that would keep turning the kitchen light on if I hadn’t taken the garbage out.