Will automation replace remote workers?

As I sit here, my laptop quietly automating boring tasks for me in the background so I can fully focus on writing this newsletter, I can’t help but reflect on how much automation has changed the way I work and live as a digital nomad.

But what is automation actually? Simply put, automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention. It's like having a tireless assistant handling repetitive tasks, so you can concentrate on the big picture. It can be anything from social media scheduling to invoice generators to customer service chatbots.

When I first started my nomadic journey, the idea of automation felt scary AF. I was overwhelmed by the huge amount of tasks I had to juggle, from communicating with clients to keeping track of travel expenses and work deadlines. It felt like I was always playing catch-up, but at the same time the thought of implementing automation terrified me, would it make my work feel less personal? Would it eventually replace me?

Nevertheless, I realized that to continue to be a digital nomad (and not lose my mind in the meantime!) I needed to work smarter, not harder. So, I started small, automating my email responses, creating templates for common inquiries, and scheduling follow-ups. This simple change freed up hours of my week, allowing me to focus on more important tasks – or better yet, explore the beautiful places I was visiting.

As I've become more comfortable with automation, I've started to use it more. And this week, I even created my first Make flow, which helps me manage a LOT of data – something I wouldn't be able to do on my own! But it isn't always a smooth ride. Have you ever set up an autoresponder that accidentally sent a wonky message to a customer? Or did you try a complex scheduling tool that just ended up creating scheduling chaos? Yeah, me too.

Here's the thing: automation is a powerful tool, but it's not a magic bullet. The key is to find the right balance between automating the mundane and keeping the human touch in our work. And this is why I stopped being afraid of automation replacing us and taking our jobs.

So, here's what I've learned (the hard way, sometimes!) about automation as a digital nomad:

Start small. Don't try to automate everything at once. Pick one or two repetitive tasks that are draining your energy and focus on those.
Focus on efficiency, not perfection. Don't get bogged down in complex systems. A simple autoresponder or scheduling tool can be a lifesaver.
Remember, automation is a tool, not a replacement. We, as digital nomads, bring a unique human element to our work. Don't let automation take over the things that make your business (and your nomad life) special.

So, this week, I challenge you to take a look at your workflow and identify areas where automation could be your friend. But remember, be strategic and keep the human touch alive!