As easy and intuitive as the mouse is to use, it’s far quicker if you can master keyboard shortcuts for tasks that you do regularly. Use keyboard shortcuts to perform regular commands, such as launching a new program, starting a new email or editing text in a document.
There are basic keyboard shortcuts that almost everyone uses, and then there’s a whole range of others that you might not know about. It’s worth spending a bit of time familiarizing yourself with the best shortcuts for your computer and the programs you use most, as once you’ve mastered them they can be a great time-saver.
You can find a great general list of up-to-date PC and Mac shortcuts at www.shortcutworld.com, and if you use a particular piece of software regularly (whether it be Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, Apple Keynote or something much more obscure), you will usually find that a 5-minute web search will throw up some really useful shortcuts you never knew existed.
Think of a piece of software you use regularly, find a few keyboard shortcuts you don’t currently use and try them out a few times. You’ll be surprised at how easily you can incorporate them into your working life. A top tip here is to print out five new ones and pin them next to your computer until you’ve learned them – then print out five more!