When you’re deep in automation mode, you might not notice what it’s costing you:
Time That Disappears
The biggest cost is your time. Every hour spent figuring out webhook configurations or JSON parsing is an hour not spent on:
- Meeting with potential clients
- Improving your core products or services
- Building your team
- Strategic planning for growth
- Resting and recharging (yes, that matters too!)
Mental Bandwidth Drain
Look
at our friend in the picture again. That stressed, overwhelmed expression? That’s your brain on DIY automation.
Complex technical problems drain your mental energy. Even after you step away from the computer, your mind keeps churning on that unsolved problem. This mental load affects everything else you do.
The Opportunity Cost
This is the big one. Every minute you spend as an amateur automation builder is a minute not spent as an expert in your actual business.
If you charge clients $150 per hour for your services but spend 10 hours doing technical work that a specialist could do better in 2 hours, you’ve essentially lost $1,500 worth of your time.
When DIY Automation Makes Sense
Despite the challenges, there are times when handling your own automation makes perfect sense:
You’re Just Starting Out
When you’re in the early stages, and cash is tight, doing things yourself can be necessary. Just be honest about the time investment.
You Genuinely Enjoy It
Some business owners find technical tinkering fun and energizing. If that’s you, and it doesn’t take away from your core business, go for it!
You’re Building Simple Systems
Basic automation, such as “when someone fills out this form, add them to my email list,” is often worth doing yourself. The complexity/benefit ratio makes sense.
You’re Learning for Strategic Reasons
Understanding how these systems work, even if you later hire help, can make you a better decision-maker about your tech stack.
Signs You Should Probably Get Help
On the flip side, here are clear indicators that it’s time to bring in a professional:
Your “Quick Project” Has Taken Days
If what you thought would take an hour has stretched into days of frustration (like our friend in the image seems to be experiencing), that’s a red flag.
You Keep Hitting Technical Roadblocks
When terms like “JSON parsing,” “webhook payload,” or “API authentication” are making your
head spin, it might be time for expert help.
Your Automation Keeps Breaking
If you constantly need to fix things because they stopped working after an app update, you’re in a maintenance cycle that’s eating your time.
You’re Avoiding Core Business Tasks
When you realize you’re using automation projects to avoid the actual work of growing your business, it’s time to step back.
The Cost-Benefit Doesn’t Add Up
Calculate how much your time is worth per hour, multiply by hours spent, and compare to the cost of hiring help. The math often favors getting help.
The Surprising Benefits of Professional Automation
Working with a Make.com expert or automation specialist brings advantages beyond just saving time:
They See Possibilities You Don’t
Experts know what’s possible with the platform. They can suggest workflows you haven’t even considered that could transform your business.
They Build Reliable Systems
Professional automations are built with error handling, monitoring, and maintenance in mind. They’re designed to keep working even when things change.
They Work Faster
What might take you 20 hours of trial and error takes them 2 hours of confident implementation. Their experience with common issues saves tremendous time.
They Connect to Your Strategy
Good automation specialists don’t just build technical solutions – they understand business goals and design systems that actually move you forward.
Finding the Right Balance
The best approach for most business owners is finding a middle ground:
- Understand the basics yourself – Know enough to make informed decisions
- Do the simple stuff – Handle straightforward connections yourself when it makes sense
- Know when to call in help – Recognize when a project exceeds your technical comfort zone
- Focus on your zone of genius – Spend most of your time on what you do uniquely well
How to Work With Automation Professionals
If you decide to get help, here’s how to make the most of it:
Be Clear About Outcomes
You can focus on your goal, not how you think it should work. “I need client information from my booking form to automatically create invoices” is better than “I need Calendly to connect to QuickBooks using Make.com.”
Document Your Current Process
Even if it’s manual, having a clear picture of your current workflow helps a specialist automate it effectively.
Start Small and Build
Begin with one critical workflow rather than trying to automate everything
at once. Get wins and build momentum.
Budget for Ongoing Support
Automation isn’t “set it and forget it.” Apps change, business needs evolve, and systems need maintenance. Build this into your plans.
The Return to Your Zone of Genius
Look
at that stressed face in our image again. Now imagine that same business owner focused on client meetings, product development, team building, and strategic growth – the things he’s actually good
at.
When you step away from being the tech person in your business and return to your zone of genius:
-
- Your energy returns
- Your confidence increases
- Your business grows faster
- Your stress levels drop
- You make more money doing what you do best
And those fancy automation charts and graphs? They keep working in the background, powered by systems built by people who love that kind of work as much as you love your own specialty.
The Bottom Line: Know Your Worth
The real question isn’t “Can I do this myself?” (you probably can, with enough time and frustration). The question is “Should I?”
The answer becomes clearer when you calculate the true cost of your time, energy, and focus. Your business needs you to operate
at your highest level, not be stuck in technical details that others can handle better and faster.
Like our overwhelmed friend in the picture, sometimes the smartest business move is to put down the coffee cup, step away from the automation dashboard, and call someone who can turn those confusing charts into smooth-running systems.
At the same time, you get back to growing your business.
After all, isn’t that why you wanted automation in the first place?
Ready to take your automation journey to the next level? Want personalized guidance on which platform is right for your specific needs? For expert help setting up your first automations or optimizing your existing workflows, click work with me for more information. Don’t waste another minute on tasks that could be automated – get started today! 
