Quick test. If you had one free hour today, could you name the one workflow that would make your week easier?
Most teams cannot, and that is why their automation backlog becomes a junk drawer. Everything feels urgent, so nothing gets finished.
Here is a simple way to pick one workflow in ten minutes. It is not perfect. It is good enough to move.
The problem with long lists
A long list feels productive, but it creates a new job. The job becomes debating what matters, instead of fixing anything.
If you want momentum, you need a fast filter.
The 10 minute pick
Grab a pen or a note. Write five workflows that come up all the time. Do not write twenty.
Then score each workflow from 1 to 5 on three things.
- Impact: if this works, what does it change?
- Frequency: how often does it happen?
- Frustration: how annoying is it right now?
Add the scores. Pick the top one.
Stop there.
A real example
A service business has a list like this: quote follow ups, scheduling, invoicing, onboarding, and job closeout.
They argue about scheduling because it feels chaotic. But the scores show quote follow ups happen every day, they impact revenue, and they create stress. So that becomes the pick.
Now they have a direction. One workflow. One finish line.
What to do after you pick
Do not jump into tools yet. First make it clear.
Write three lines:
- Trigger: when does the work start?
- Output: what exists when it is done?
- Owner: who owns done?
If you cannot write those three lines, you are not ready to automate. Fix clarity first, then build.
Why this matters
Most businesses do not need more ideas. They need fewer decisions. A good workflow pick gives your team one target and makes progress feel possible.
If you want help with this, book a discovery call.
If you had to pick one workflow today, what would it be?