- FileJuggler on Windows, to automatically clean Desktop, Download folder and archive everything into a date-based folder structure in Drive.
- AutoHotKey to insert text templates into everything (e.g. current date, formatted Jira issues, annoying things to type)
The problem with automation is that one will want to break even quickly [time saved > (time spent finding/setting/maintaining)] otherwise automation is just a glorified delayed action. Time saving is not the only reason for automating but I assume it's n°1's when it comes to personal use.
Perhaps underappreciated aspect of automation is friction reduction. Having a semi-automated process can be what it takes for you to stop avoiding doing some little chore, or what makes you no longer suffer as you do it.
I am really susceptible to friction. It's why my bike is at my front door, and why I don't stack things. Adam Savage has a principle he called First Order Retrievability that helps reduce friction for using tools around his workshop.
This thread made me think about automating my invoicing. If all it did was mail me the completed PDF to then forward to clients, that would definitely make me do it more consistently on the 1st of the month even though it's not completely automated.
- FileJuggler on Windows, to automatically clean Desktop, Download folder and archive everything into a date-based folder structure in Drive.
- AutoHotKey to insert text templates into everything (e.g. current date, formatted Jira issues, annoying things to type)
The problem with automation is that one will want to break even quickly [time saved > (time spent finding/setting/maintaining)] otherwise automation is just a glorified delayed action. Time saving is not the only reason for automating but I assume it's n°1's when it comes to personal use.