My family thinks I'm some kind of tech magician after I explained workflow automation tools đŸȘ„

Other Questions N8n
1

My folks kept asking what I actually do at my job. Every time I said “automation systems” they would just smile and pretend to get it.

I finally got fed up trying to explain it myself, so I had an AI break down workflow tools like Zapier in simple terms:

My request: “Describe workflow automation platforms in a way that makes sense to people who call me when Netflix stops working.”

AI response: "Think of automation tools as having an incredibly smart helper who works 24/7 and can communicate with all your digital services simultaneously.

Picture this: every time you receive an email, your helper automatically reads it, determines its priority, files important messages in designated folders, updates your contact database, sends you mobile alerts for urgent items, and even responds with acknowledgment messages to clients.

This helper doesn’t just handle emails though - it manages your calendar, shopping lists, photo storage, work files, and smart home gadgets. Instead of training it step by step, you simply create a visual flowchart showing ‘if this occurs, then do that, followed by this action.’

It’s like employing a digital concierge for your connected lifestyle, except it costs thirty bucks monthly instead of sixty thousand yearly and never needs time off."

Dad’s reaction: “Hold on, you’re saying computers can handle our monthly payments, order food when supplies run low, AND notify us about package deliveries?”

Mom: “You get paid for teaching this to companies? What do you charge for these digital superpowers?”

Now they’re convinced I possess some kind of technological magic and want their whole house automated!

The funniest part? Dad spent an hour explaining to his brother how I “make different programs work together so companies don’t need employees for repetitive tasks.”

Honestly pretty spot on.

Mom texted asking if I can set up automatic family notifications when she uploads pictures online. I’ve awakened something dangerous.

Dad inquired whether automation can reorder beverages when his smart refrigerator detects low inventory. This situation is escalating quickly.

Update for curious people - absolutely planning to automate their daily routines. Currently building workflows for prescription reminders, shopping lists, and family photo distribution. They’ll be the most tech-savvy retirees in their neighborhood.

What’s the strangest automation request your relatives have made? :backhand_index_pointing_down:

2

oh god you’ve unleashed monsters :sweat_smile: my sister wants me to automate her closet to pick outfits based on weather and calendar events. apparently automation means mind reading now?? worst part is half these crazy ideas actually work, so they just keep asking for more

3

Tech support for family gets nuts once they see what automation can do. I set up a basic home security system for my parents last year - huge mistake. Now mom calls asking if we can automate her sprinklers based on weather and whether it can tell if she left the stove on. Dad thinks I can build something that orders his prescriptions and books doctor visits automatically. Their expectations are completely insane now. Started with simple workflow stuff, now they think I can automate their whole retirement. I spend more time explaining what automation can’t do than what it actually does.

4

lmao this is too relatable! my grandma now thinks I’m some kind of wizard because I showed her IFTTT once. she asked if I could make her phone automatically text her bridge club when it’s gonna rain so they know to move inside :joy:

5

That AI explanation is brilliant - wish I’d thought of it years ago. I screwed up when my uncle asked about my automation work by diving straight into technical jargon. Just confused him more until I used the domino analogy - one action triggers the next automatically. Now he won’t stop pitching crazy scenarios like syncing his garage door with his coffee maker so his brew starts when he backs out. My aunt topped him though - she wants automation that detects when her cat uses the litter box and auto-orders more litter when it runs low. I actually researched it and smart litter boxes are real, plus the integration would totally work. Their wild ideas aren’t as nuts as they sound.

6

I totally get this! Had the same breakthrough when I stopped trying to explain APIs and webhooks to my family.

Here’s the thing - those wild requests they’re making? Most are actually doable now. Your dad’s smart fridge idea, your mom’s photo notifications, even prescription reminders and automatic reordering.

I’ve built these exact workflows for my family using automation platforms. The key is finding something that won’t turn you into their full-time tech support.

That prescription reminder is genius. I built something similar that monitors pharmacy emails, creates calendar events, and sends text reminders three days before refills are due. Takes maybe 10 minutes once you know the platform.

Same with photo sharing - when someone uploads to our family album, it automatically notifies the group chat with a preview.

Funniest part? Watching them go from “I don’t understand technology” to “can we automate literally everything” overnight.

For family automation, I always use Latenode since it handles complex integrations without coding or API limits. Perfect when relatives inevitably want workflow modifications.

7

You’ve created automation evangelists - dangerous territory. My mother-in-law saw me set up an email filter and now thinks I can automate her entire social calendar. She asked if I could build something that auto-declines dinner invites when her favorite shows are on. The logic was actually pretty sound.

What gets me is how fast they pick up the possibilities once you explain it right. Your concierge analogy nails it. I used to stumble through trigger/action explanations until I started calling it training a super obedient digital assistant that never forgets.

My dad went from barely getting email to wanting workflows that watch his portfolio and alert him at certain thresholds. Took twenty minutes to build - now he thinks I should ditch my job and become an automation consultant.

The prescription reminder idea’s solid though. Built something similar that pulls confirmation emails and makes calendar events. Works perfectly and prevents real headaches later.