Will automation replace us?


Hey Freaking Nomads!

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!

Until next time,

Irene Lidia

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