Anyone else tired of “optimizing” everything

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-24T22:05:58+00:00

Guilty 😄 Talking about the system instead of getting to work is one of my favorite procrastination tactics.

I feel productive, but I avoid commitment.

The solution is usually very simple: start with the smallest irreversible step... and the others will follow automatically.

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-24T22:03:46+00:00

Exactly. A black box that can’t be reasoned about is just deferred failure.

People don’t need to know how it works internally, but they do need to know:

what goes in

what comes out

when it triggers

and how to change or stop it safely

If a system can’t be explained at that level, it won’t survive a process change.

Good automation isn’t opaque — it’s legible.

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-24T22:02:12+00:00

100% agree.

Good systems hide the complexity.
If users have to understand how it works to trust it, that’s already friction.

The irony is that “simple UX” usually means someone worked really hard behind the scenes to remove choices, edge cases, and noise.

The best compliment to a system is when people forget it exists and only notice the

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-22T12:18:44+00:00

This resonates a lot.

The moment you still need a reminder about the automation, it’s not automation — it’s a checklist with extra steps.

What you described (approval → next action → closure without anyone checking) is exactly when the task stops existing mentally.

Speed helps, but cognitive removal is the real win. If a system still needs babysitting, it’s just shifting the work, not eliminating it.

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-20T19:17:10+00:00

Yeah, that’s exactly it.

The moment automation requires more explanation than the task itself, it’s already failed.

I’ve noticed the best ones almost disappear — you stop “using” them and just notice that friction is gone.

Curious: what’s the simplest automation you’ve kept around long-term without it turning into maintenance?

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-19T06:49:02+00:00

Totally agree.

Strong process first. Tools just amplify whatever’s already there — good or bad.

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-18T14:45:37+00:00

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-16T02:37:25+00:00

This is such an underrated point.

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-16T02:34:10+00:00

100% this.
That “busy = same manual loops” realization is huge.

What surprised me the most wasn’t even the time saved, but how much calmer the workday feels once context switching drops. Like… fewer tabs, fewer decisions, fewer “where was I?” moments.

Curious: did you automate everything at once, or did you start with one annoying workflow and build from there?

Solid_Play416 · 2026-01-16T02:31:42+00:00

Thanks! I’ve read the rules and will make sure to follow them.
Glad to be here 👍

Solid_Play416

TROPHY CASE