On this episode of Chronically Automated, Anthony Lobosco and I tear apart one of the most overlooked productivity roadblocks: the humble to-do list. But this wasn't your vanilla productivity convo. We cracked open what it's really like trying to manage executive function when you're neurodiverse, in chronic pain, or simply exhausted by decision fatigue. Spoiler alert: sticky notes and “just write three things” advice don’t cut it when your brain’s on fire and your calendar’s drowning.

We broke down how automation, when it's built around the user, not the task, becomes an external brain. A lifeline. A stress-reliever. Whether it’s dealing with MS-related pain, ADHD inertia, or mental overload, we showed exactly how smart systems create clarity. And not hypotheticals, real workflows I’ve built for Anthony in Digital Magic CRM that give him his time, energy, and sanity back every single day like getting a reminder to follow up with a lead at the exact right moment, without having to think about it.

We dug into why over-automation is a real problem (yes, Queen of Automation said it) and how too many systems will wreck your brain faster than no systems. The key? Build your automation around how your brain works. Hate notifications? Use fewer. Need 8,000 like me? Do it. It’s not about doing it “right”, it’s about doing it your way.

We also talked Slack, Trello, Google Calendar, iPhone hacks, and RescueTime. But here’s the real takeaway: your systems are only as good as they are customized. You don’t need another SaaS subscription, you need a strategy that actually aligns with your dopamine, your energy, and your life. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, exec, or corporate rebel with a chaotic brain, you’re not broken, you just need better systems.

This one’s packed with hard truth, humor, and the exact frameworks to take your brain from scattered to strategic. Listen in, laugh a little, learn a lot, and if nothing else, stop working on the shit you hate. It’s killing your productivity and your joy. Let’s fix that.