Chronically Automated - Episode #11 - The Lie We Tell Ourselves About Doing It All

On this episode of Chronically Automated, Anthony and I dive deep into something that hits way too close to home for so many of us: automation shame. That feeling like you’re cheating or being lazy for wanting help, for not wanting to do everything manually, for leaning on systems, tools, AI, or people to lighten the load. Spoiler alert: it’s bullshit.

I’m here to say it loud: you are not broken for needing help. You’re not weak. You’re not lazy. You’re just human. And if you’re neurodiverse like us, even more reason to build smart systems around your messy reality. Waiting until you're burned out or in the middle of a fog spiral is not the move. Automation isn't cheating. It’s survival. It’s strategy. It’s leadership.

We unpack where this guilt comes from: internalized ableism, perfectionism, ego, and how to reframe the whole damn thing. We also talk about how automation isn’t some cold, impersonal tech monster. Done right, it gives you your life back. And yeah, there is such a thing as over-automating, but let’s be real. Most of you aren’t even close to that line. You’re still doing everything manually.

Anthony also shares how he didn’t even know what was possible until we started working together. And that’s the truth for a lot of people. Even tech-savvy folks get stuck in old workflows because they just haven’t had someone come in with a fresh perspective and say, “Wait, what if we did it this way?”

We get into time recovery metrics, SOPs that require automation (not as an afterthought), gamifying progress, and creating celebration triggers that reinforce wins. Because this isn’t just about productivity. It’s about wellness, identity, and getting back to the parts of your business and life you actually like.

This episode is for every founder who’s ever felt guilty for not doing it all themselves. For every builder who bought a shiny template that didn’t work. For everyone who’s scared to ask for help or let go of control. Stop trying to fit your business into someone else’s blueprint. Get a custom fit. Ask for help. Use the damn tech.

Everything is figureoutable. You just don’t have to figure it out alone.