Keyboard shortcut challenge

 

Keyboard shortcut challenge

Keyboard shortcuts can make your workday easier. Instead of constantly grabbing your mouse or touchpad, learning a few key combinations can help you get things done faster. 

Most of us have our usual go-to shortcuts that you don't even have to think about like Ctrl + X (cut), Ctrl + C (copy), Ctrl + V (paste). The most recent one I've focused on learning is Ctrl + Shift + T (reopen a tab you just closed). Check out our Killer Keyboard Shortcuts cheat sheet to see how many you already use, and what you might want to learn. 

Challenge yourself this week!

1. Pick 3 keyboard shortcuts you don't normally use (Example: Ctrl + F, Ctrl + A, Windows key + Arrow keys).
2. Commit to using them for 5 workdays. Muscle memory builds faster than memorization.
3. Catch yourself reaching for the mouse, pause and try the shortcut instead.

If you can use a shortcut without thinking, it counts as a win!

Article by Karen Matthes, Extension Learning Technologies, klm@umn.edu