Book 2 · Chapter 5: Building Real Workflows
This page turns a repetitive task into a step-by-step workflow outline, with three starter workflows.
This page assumes you've read the chapter. It hands you the tools, not the lessons.
Workflow Outline Builder
Turn a fuzzy "I should automate this" into a written workflow spec, using the chapter's four-part anatomy. Fill it in and the tool writes the document you can save, reuse, and hand to a teammate.
Triggerwhen it starts
To react to a real event (new email, new Slack message, file change), an automation tool like Zapier, Make, or n8n watches for it and starts the workflow. AI is the brain; the automation tool is the alarm clock.
Steps
Good steps are sequential (each builds on the last), specific enough to hand to someone else, and chunked into 5-15 second thinking tasks.
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Your workflow spec
WORKFLOW: Meeting prep TRIGGER: Email notification 2 hours before the meeting STEPS: 1. Extract the three main agenda items from the meeting invite 2. For each agenda item, pull the most relevant background info from the attached documents 3. Generate two talking points per agenda item (one opening statement, one response-to-pushback) 4. Create a one-page document with the agenda item as a heading, talking points as bullets below 5. Add a "Goals for this meeting" section at the top (what you want to accomplish) OUTPUT: A one-page meeting prep doc with your goals, agenda items, and talking points for each REVIEW POINT: Read it once. Does it match what you need to say? Are the talking points grounded in the materials you reviewed? Any tone adjustments needed? Takes two minutes.
3 starter workflows
- Meeting prep workflow
Trigger: Email notification 2 hours before the meeting Steps: 1. Extract the three main agenda items from the meeting invite 2. For each agenda item, pull the most relevant background info from the attached documents 3. Generate two talking points per agenda item (one opening statement, one response-to-pushback) 4. Create a one-page document with the agenda item as a heading, talking points as bullets below 5. Add a "Goals for this meeting" section at the top (what you want to accomplish) Output: A one-page meeting prep doc with your goals, agenda items, and talking points for each Review point: Read it once. Does it match what you need to say? Are the talking points grounded in the materials you reviewed? Any tone adjustments needed? Takes two minutes.
- Weekly report workflow
Trigger: Friday at 4 PM Steps: 1. Gather all inputs: - File access (no extra setup): your weekly notes doc, metrics spreadsheet, any files in connected folders - Needs a connector or automation tool: email folders (Zapier/Make can pull these), Slack messages (needs Slack integration or manual export) - Manual paste works fine: copy your #wins from Slack, forward key emails into your notes doc, paste the relevant bits 2. Extract the major accomplishments (things you shipped, decisions made, problems solved) 3. Extract the current blockers (what's in your way, what you're stuck on, where you need help) 4. Extract what's coming next (what's on the calendar for next week) 5. Organize into three sections: Wins, Blockers, Next Week 6. Write a one-sentence summary at the top ("Shipped feature X, unblocked team on Y, gearing up for Z launch") Output: A structured status report, 300-400 words, organized by Wins/Blockers/Next Week Review point: Read it once. Did you miss any major accomplishments? Are the blockers clearly stated? Does the Next Week section align with your calendar? Takes three minutes. Maybe you add one bullet point you forgot. Done. - Email and communication workflow
Trigger: You manually run the workflow when you get a tricky email Steps: 1. Identify the core concern (what are they actually upset about, beneath the surface?) 2. Identify what you can agree with (find common ground, even if it's small) 3. Clarify your position without being defensive 4. Suggest a specific next step 5. Draft the response with: acknowledgment, agreement, position, next step Output: A 200-word draft email in a friendly but professional tone Review point: Read it aloud. Does it sound like you? Does it address their concern or does it sound dismissive? Would you be satisfied if you received this email? Takes two minutes.