Book 1 · Chapter 6: Saving Time on Repeat Tasks
This page asks three questions to tell you whether a task is worth automating, and hands you all seven of the chapter's weekly templates.
This page assumes you've read the chapter. It hands you the tools, not the lessons.
Three-Question Triage
Name a task you do over and over, then run it through the chapter's three-question test to see whether it's worth handing to AI.
Verdict
AI candidate
This task passes all three checks. Build it a reusable prompt once and reuse it every week. The seven templates below are the pattern.
The weekly toolkit: all 7 templates, plus 2 chains
- 1. Meeting Agenda Builder
I'm preparing an agenda for a [type] meeting with [audience]. The meeting is [length] long. We need to cover: [topics]. The most important item is [priority topic]. Make sure that gets the most time. Include time allocations for each item and leave 5 minutes at the end for action items. Format as a clean agenda I can paste into a calendar invite.
- 2. Meeting Follow-Up Email
I finished a [type] meeting. Write a follow-up email to [attendees]. Here are my rough notes: [paste notes] Include: brief summary of what was discussed (3-4 sentences), action items with owners and deadlines, any decisions that were made, and next meeting date if applicable. Tone: professional and clear. Keep it concise.
- 3. The Weekly Meal Plan
I need a meal plan for this week. Family of [size]. Dietary needs: [list]. Budget: $[amount] for groceries. We already have [items in pantry/freezer]. Weeknight meals should take under [time] to prepare. At least [number] meals should work as leftovers for lunch the next day. Give me the meal plan and a grocery list organized by store section.
- 4. Expense Report Compiler
I need to compile my monthly expense report. Here are my expenses: [paste the images of the scanned receipts] Categorize each expense using these categories: [your company's expense categories]. Flag any that might need additional justification. Total each category. Format as a table with columns: Date, Description, Category, Amount. Add a summary row at the bottom.
- 5. Weekly Status Report
I need a weekly status report for [audience: e.g., my manager, the leadership team, the full department]. Reporting period: this past week. Here are my rough notes on what happened: [paste bullet points, messy notes, or stream-of-consciousness recap] Structure it as: Summary (2-3 sentences on overall progress), Key Accomplishments (what got done), Blockers/Risks (what's stuck and what I need), and Next Week (what's coming). Keep it under 300 words. Tone: [professional and concise / casual and direct / formal for executive audience].
- 6. Client or Stakeholder Update Email
I need to send a project update to [client name / stakeholder]. Here's the context: Project: [name and brief description] Status: [on track / at risk / delayed] Key updates this period: [paste notes] Any asks or decisions needed from them: [describe] Tone: [professional and reassuring / transparent about risks / upbeat and forward-looking]. This client [knows the details well / needs more context / is executive-level and wants the summary only]. Keep it under [word count].
- 7. Content Repurposing
I have [original content type: e.g., a blog post, a report, a presentation]. I need to turn it into [target formats: e.g., three LinkedIn posts, an email newsletter, and five tweet-length takeaways]. Here's the original: [paste content] Maintain the key messages but adapt the tone and length for each platform. LinkedIn should be professional and thoughtful. Tweets should be punchy and standalone. The newsletter should have a personal, conversational tone.
- Chained example: The Monday Morning Prep
Prompt 1 (meeting review): Here's my calendar for this week: [paste calendar or describe meetings]. For each meeting, tell me: what it's about, who's attending, and one thing I should prepare or think about beforehand. Flag any that look like they'll be contentious or need extra prep. Prompt 2 (priority setting): Based on those meetings and these other priorities I have this week [list them], help me create a day-by-day plan. What should I focus on each day? What can wait until later in the week? Are there any conflicts I should resolve now? Prompt 3 (first task): Let's start with [the most important item from the plan]. Here's what I know about it: [details]. Help me [draft/prepare/outline] it.
- Chained example: The Family Weekend Planner
Prompt 1 (options research): We need something fun to do as a family this weekend in [city]. Two adults, kids ages [ages]. Budget: under $[amount]. The weather is supposed to be [weather]. The kids haven't been to [places recently visited] recently so maybe something different. Give me five options with estimated cost and time commitment. Prompt 2 (logistics): We're going with [chosen option]. Help me plan the logistics: best time to go, what to bring, where to park, where to eat nearby (something kid-friendly under $50 for four), and anything I should book or reserve in advance. Prompt 3 (packing/prep list): Based on this plan, give me a quick checklist of things to pack or prepare before we leave.