What Business Are You In? Automation, AI, and Balancing Focus – A Programmer’s Reflection

Automation is one of those things that, once you experience its benefits, makes you wonder why you ever did things manually in the first place. Every time I automate a task, I ask myself: How did I waste so much time doing this manually? Recently, I’ve been diving deep into automation again, working on various tasks using Python and Optical Character Recognition (OCR). While automation saves time, it demands intense focus, planning, and logic—far from simple data entry.



The Challenge of Automation

Programming and automation require breaking down even the smallest details into precise steps. Tasks that seem trivial in daily workflows suddenly require explicit instructions when turned into code. This forces a reevaluation: Should a task be automated at all?

Additionally, there’s an important consideration—will AI eventually take over this task? If so, should we wait for AI to improve, or should we automate now? In the meantime, what should we be doing with our time before AI catches up? These questions push us to think beyond mere automation and into the bigger picture of our roles.

The Mental Load and Multitasking

One of the biggest realizations during my automation work was how much focus it required. Unlike other tasks where I could listen to podcasts or even watch YouTube videos in the background, programming demanded my full attention. Some jobs, like driving a truck or cutting hair, allow for multitasking once mastered. But programming and automation are different—they need your brain at full capacity.

I used to watch about eight hours of YouTube daily, often as background noise while working. But during this deep automation phase, I couldn't afford distractions. This shift made me reflect: What business am I really in?

The Bigger Question: What Business Are You In?

Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's, famously answered this question with “real estate” rather than fast food. In the early days of McDonald's, securing prime locations mattered more than the food itself. When I reflect on my own habits, I realize that, in a way, I’m in the business of consuming YouTube content.

Even after automating tasks and freeing up time, what do I naturally return to? YouTube. The absence of it during my deep focus period highlighted its social aspect for me. Staring at lines of code for hours is vastly different from passively absorbing information while performing a routine task. That contrast was striking and made me reconsider the role of media consumption in my daily life.

The Takeaway

Automation is powerful, but it requires deep concentration and strategic thinking. It forces us to analyze not only the tasks we perform but also how we spend our time. AI will continue evolving, potentially handling many of these tasks in the future. But until then, what should we be doing?

For me, automation is just one piece of a larger puzzle. It’s about efficiency, yes, but it’s also about understanding where our time truly goes. Whether it’s programming, socializing through digital content, or preparing for an AI-driven future, the real question remains: What business are you in?

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