Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most

by Greg McKeown

How can we use technology to automate the things that really matter in our own everyday lives? Essential Domains Effortless Automation Your health Schedule your annual physical as a recurring appointment on the same day each year, and your dentist appointments on the same day every six months. Sign up for regular delivery and automated payment of your recurring medicines from your pharmacy. Set your phone to turn on “nightlight” mode two hours before bedtime. Your relationships Set up regular calls or get-togethers with the people who matter most. Set calendar reminders for friend and family member birthdays. Preorder flowers or gifts to be sent on key birthdays, anniversaries, or other annual events. Your finances Have a percentage of your paycheck automatically deposited in savings each month. Schedule a weekly meeting to review your finances as a family, and annual meetings with a financial adviser. Automate budgeting with an app that tracks your spending. Set up regular monthly or annual donations to your most valued charities. Your home Subscribe for regular online purchases of key items for the home. Create an annual safety checklist for things like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Set up recurring shopping lists in a grocery store app. Delegate meal planning to an app based on your health goals. Your career Schedule recurring meetings with a mentor. Schedule an hour every quarter to review your personal career goals. Block off five minutes every morning to re...