HOW-TO: CULTIVATE AN AUTOMATION

MINDSETThe Art of Do Without Doing

+Chris Mohritz | chris@mohritz.co

OUR JOURNEY

● A simple decision● Building the case (...or just do it)

Interrupt me at anytime for questions / comments

AUTOMATION OPTIONS

Software● eg. ifttt.com● Only makes mistakes if

you do● 24/7● Tireless● No training● No explaining● No language barriers● No paychecks● No insurance● No taxes

People● eg. mturk.com● Easier in short-term?● More adaptive?● Physical activities

THE DECISIONA Simple Mindset Shift

“Thinking is asking and answering questions. If you want better answers, ask better questions.”~Tony Robbins

A MORE PRODUCTIVE QUESTION

● Old: “How do I do this?”● New: “How do I do this only once?”○ If its repetitive, automate it○ If its unnecessary, eliminate it

IN THE AGE OF BIG CONTENT

● Old: “Where can I find content ideas?”● New: “How can I have content ideas

brought to me?”

WEAKNESS INTO A STRENGTH

● Analysis paralysis? Turn your decision-making process into an app

● Captures data for historical analysis● Can be fine-tuned over time● Repeatable ● scalable● Think: executive dashboard

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Have Fun With it

WHAT CAN YOU AUTOMATE?

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

Lifestyle● Cooking● Shopping● Sharing photos

(ibeam.it, etc.)● Find travel ideas● Local errands

(taskrabbit.com)

Business● SEO● Marketing*● Industry changes● Trend watching● Lead qualification● Syndication● Competitor recon● Market research● Lead generation

QUANTIFYING THE VALUE

Adds Up Very Quickly

IF YOU NEED A NUMBER

● How much is your time worth?● How much is eliminating headaches

worth?● How much is peace of mind worth?

A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME

● If someone hired you to do a job in Germany, what salary would make it worthwhile for you to learn to read & write German?

IT WILL BE THE NEW NORMAL

“Computer Geeks” Were Just Born a Couple of Decades Early

GETTING AN EARLY START

● Developing software is an excellent training ground for productivity thinking

● Kids will grow up with stronger problem-solving thought processes

● play-i.com● scratch.mit.edu

POP QUIZ

ITS NOT THAT HARD If a 3-Year Old Can Do It...

ANYONE CAN DO IT

● “Its amazing what you're capable of”● Guarantee everyone in this room can

write an app/script● But will everyone put in the effort?● Like learning a new language, once

you get the basics, it flows● Start with open source (github.com)● Anyone can learn 10 commands,

copy/paste the rest...

CODING BY GOOGLE

LEVERAGE THE WEB

● The Internet is software, so it can be driven/accessed by software

NEXT STEPSYup, There is Homework

THE 5 MINUTE ASSIGNMENT

1. Subscribe to ifttt.com blog/newsletter2. Subscribe to lifehacker.com

blog/newsletter3. Browse ifttt.com Recipes4. Look for 1 Recipe that will help you5. Put it into action6. Extra credit: repeat steps 3-5

TO SUM IT UP...

● Ask more productive questions (of yourself)

● Get out there and explore ideas● Test them● Automation is people or software● If software, always start with an open

source app● Think DRY (don’t repeat yourself)

LEARN CODING BASICS

● Search YouTube● codecademy.com● If you have to, force it ...gets easier

Feedback?Questions?chris@mohritz.co