Saving a File
Instead of reaching for your mouse, heading up to the menu bar to hit 'Edit,' and then 'Save,' simply use the Ctrl+S keys to save a file. Done in under ten seconds.
Copying a File
Here's a simple way to copy a file: Ctrl+C
If you want to 'copy all,' try Ctrl+A
Cutting a File
Need to cut something to paste is somewhere else? Try Ctrl+X.
Undo a Mistake
Messed up? You can undo a mistake by selecting the Ctrl+Z keys. You can also try Ctrl+Y, which will sometimes get rid of that mistake that you made with Ctrl+Z doesn't work.
Why Bother With Shortcuts?
The great thing about typing is that your brain will remember the keystrokes you use regularly. So make a really good habit of using shortcut keys to reduce time and gain speed, and your brain will soon remember those shortcuts without the need to look around for the keys.
A lot of people spend thousands of dollars boosting a system's capacity, which can help, when simple things like shortcut keys make the biggest difference. If you are a writer or spend a lot of time type, shortcut keys will make all the difference.
Other Helpful Tools
There's one particularly helpful tool out there called 'AutoHotKey.' As the name suggests, this tool makes hotkeys out of everything. To understand this concept better, think about the automated hotkeys you use with your smartphone. Have you set your phone up to turn 'FYI' into 'For Your Information' quickly when you type FYI?
Those are the kinds of hotkeys that AutoHotKey will create for you. You can also customize your hotkeys, so that you can grab what you want to whenever you want to. Using shortcut keys and hotkeys will mean a much faster work week, days that are more productive, and time that flies really quickly. Doesn't that sound nice?
On Mac Too
You can use most of the same shortcut keys with your PC and your Mac. So, if you switch from a PC to a Mac or back again, you can still use the same keys. It takes about one month to really learn how to use shortcut keys, so give it a try for that period of time. After that, you should be able to use those keys quickly, and your workday should be a lot more efficient.
Need help with shortcut keys? Just ask! Or, do you have any shortcut key tips that might work better? How do you feel about using these keys to increase productivity? If you have any additional tips, let me know - and let the people reading this know too! Sometimes, learning from others is the best way to get things done (and understood!). Now, get shortcutting!
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