M0010 - Automation
Automation
- Automation involves using tools and technology to handle repetitive or time-consuming tasks without manual intervention, freeing mental energy and reducing the likelihood of forgetting important tasks.
- Automating routine activities streamlines your workflow, minimizes errors, and ensures consistency, helping to manage cognitive load and focus on more engaging activities.
- This mitigation is particularly effective for reducing the mental burden of administrative tasks and ensuring essential activities are completed on time.
Examples
- Task Reminders:
- Set automated reminders for appointments, deadlines, or recurring tasks using digital calendars or task management apps.
- Example: Receiving a daily notification to take medication or check your schedule.
- Bill Payments:
- Automate monthly or recurring bill payments through your bank or service provider to avoid late fees or missed deadlines.
- Example: Setting up automatic withdrawals for utilities, rent, or credit card payments.
- Email Filters:
- Create automated email filters to sort messages into folders or flag them based on importance.
- Example: Automatically moving newsletters to a “Read Later” folder or marking emails from your boss as high-priority.
- Smart Home Devices:
- Use smart appliances or devices to automate household tasks.
- Example: Programming a robot vacuum to clean at specific times or using a smart thermostat to adjust home temperatures.
Discussion
Automation is a versatile mitigation that addresses a wide range of ADHD-related challenges, from procrastination due to overwhelm[1] to doomscrolling.[2] Combining automation with other strategies, like calendaring, timers, or smart automation, creates a robust system for managing daily responsibilities with minimal mental effort.
By delegating repetitive tasks to tools and technology, automation frees up cognitive resources for more engaging or demanding activities. Whether it’s as simple as scheduling reminders or as complex as integrating smart devices, automation can significantly enhance productivity and reduce stress.
Sub- and Co-Mitigations
| Mitigation | Description |
|---|---|
| M0006.002 - Timers | Using timers to better understand the time it takes to accomplish a task or for a sense of timed urgency on a task. |
| M0007 - Stimulation Management | Reduces or moderates external interruptions or stimuli to improve focus and productivity. |
| M0010.001 - Subscription Plans | Using subscriptions to regularly order things you use frequently (e.g. food, supplements, shampoo, etc.) |
| M0010.002 - Simple Automation | Using simple tools and apps to perform tasks automatically. |
| M0010.003 - Smart Automation | IoT and algorithm-driven automation, such as IFTT, Smart Home automation, Smart appliances, etc. |
| M0014 - Calendaring | Using external tools to keep track of and plan for tasks and deadlines, reducing the likelihood of forgetting or double-booking. |
| M0014.001 - Task Lists | Structured lists of tasks that need to be completed to accomplish a goal. |
Expressions
| Expression | Description |
|---|---|
| EX0001.002 - Procrastination due to overwhelm | The task is perceived as difficult, complex, or confusing, with too many moving parts. |
| EX0014 - Doomscrolling | Spending an excessive amount of time on negative news or social media. |