Workflow tips? For midi controller's knobs and faders

I want to try a different approach to creating than just clicking in everything and guessing the automation envelopes, clicking them in in ableton, maybe sometimes recording a knob with my mouse.

I have a novation launchkey 61. It has knobs and some pads, some faders too. I use knobs and other stuff occasionally, mostly midi keys obviously. I always find the process of assigning them really boring and tiresome, I can never get myself to do it in each project.

What is your approach? Do you have any tips? I was thinking of setting up a template for each device, synth and effect I use. Not sure if that even works in ableton though