Advocating for More Use of Keyboard Shortcuts: Change How You Do Things and Not Just Rely on the Mouse

When I was a high school student, I used to look at the keyboard shortcut diagram posted on one of the walls in our classrooms and think, "Memorizing those shortcuts must be a pain in the neck." At that time, I never thought that I would have a career or make a living in tech.

Fast forward to college, where I took up studies with a major in computer engineering. I first learned my first shortcut keys, the classic Alt+Tab, through my avid use of computers. I realized that you can navigate quickly and use of computers much easier by just learning to use more of these command shortcuts. These commands are, of course, repetitive, so I just thought, "Why don't I learn the shortcut for these so that I can be faster in accessing them?". Since then, I have learned many more keyboard shortcuts, and I find them to be incredibly helpful. They save me time and effort, and they allow me to be more productive. And through my time in college, I have learned more keyboard shortcuts. I find the motivation to learn new shortcuts and commands when I find that accessing them becomes repetitive.

Advantages 😎

Now that I've been a web developer for almost a year, I've realized that I should advocate for more use of keyboard shortcuts. I might have to present the reasons why you should jump on board with this, so hear me out. There are four main reasons why using more of keyboard shortcuts is advantageous.

• It increases your productivity. Learning keyboard shortcuts can help you work faster and more efficient. You take off the time that you waste reaching to your mouse from your keyboard.

• Reduced risk of injury. Keyboard shortcuts can help reduce the risk of developing repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) by reducing the amount of time you spend using the mouse.

• Improved accuracy. Use of keyboard shortcut helps you improve your action's accuracy because you don't have to take your eyes of the screen to move the mouse. This lets you focus more on what you are typing.

• Increased comfort. This ties with the second one that i mentioned above. Keyboard shortcuts can help you work more comfortably by reducing the amount of time you spend moving your hands and arms.

Learn the things that matters 👓

Well, of course, this does not mean that you have to learn them all. As I said earlier, there are thousands of keyboard shortcuts out there. Additionally, different operating systems have their own shortcut keys, and software applications themselves have their own bundles of shortcut keys. Here are the indications and hints that I assess before deciding to learn a new keyboard shortcut:

• Am I going to use it (almost) every time? When you have to learn something new, make sure that it will be useful to you or that you somehow picture yourself using it on a daily basis. If you decide to learn something and don't get to apply it regularly, you'll probably just forget about it.

• Is the shortcut key easily accessible on my keyboard? Think about it. You should also assess if the shortcut you are thinking of learning is accessible on your keyboard. Some keyboard layouts have the function and number keys on the same button, or perhaps it would be difficult for you to reach out for the keys because your hand is not yet accustomed and flexible. If this happens, just learn the basics and gradually progress to the difficult ones.

• Is it worth learning/having? This ties in with the first point that I mentioned above. Assess the environment that you are working with. If you're on Windows OS, then it's not worth learning shortcut keys on Linux if you're not going to be using it anytime soon. Well, you can also consider the coolness factor (how cool it would be to learn this stuff). But yeah, you need to know your place first if you're going to learn some new keyboard shortcuts; otherwise, it just adds up stress that you're not really going to utilize.

Developing the habit 🏋️‍♂️

And so now, you ask yourself, 'How do I train myself to make use of my keyboard more than my mouse?' 🤔 After all, you are going to transition to a more hands-on practice of using the keyboard to navigate and use your computer. Here are several things that you can do as a starter to get yourself invested and develop the habit:

• Learn the basic command shortcuts. It is advisable that you learn the basic command shortcuts, such as switching tabs, using the arrow keys, or the tab key. You will start to appreciate their use if you start using them every time. Don't worry if you press the wrong shortcuts when you're learning new commands (I also started there). Just make sure you're not doing something of a huge impact when trying them out, such as doing production data modification.

• Have a sense of commitment. Every now and then, when you are trying to learn and make more use of your keyboard, you will have this strong urge to reach for your mouse because you know it is easier to just use it to navigate and more around. You have to develop a strong will to combat these mental urges. Remember that everything is always hard at first, and not everything comes naturally when it comes to learning. Just use your keyboard more often until your hands have that muscle memory on the placement of the keys on your keyboard. In due time, these commands and shortcuts will become like instinct if you use them all the time. The key is to have a commitment and control over yourself to not reach for the mouse.

• Understand what the keys on the keyboard do. It's not just about learning the combinations you can use to access a command that makes utilizing the keyboard more meaningful. It's also the user's understanding of the command keys that makes it more fun to use. Don't limit yourself to just the dominant keys on the left side of your keyboard. Understand the uses of keys such as PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, and more. Try to grasp all the functions of the keys on the keyboard and then integrate and use them in your day-to-day processes to truly appreciate them and unlock the full potential of your keyboard.

• Utilize keyboard shortcuts in the software you use frequently. Take advantage of the keyboard shortcuts provided by application software. In my current practice, I learn navigation commands of the IDEs and code editors that I use. I learn how to quickly access file/package navigation, perform word searches, jump to line numbers, and navigate the editor through the keyboard. This way, I don't have to strain my fingers and wrist when scrolling through a file with thousands of lines of code or when switching between multiple files.
  
  
  In addition to using keyboard shortcuts in software applications, if you are using web-based technologies and spending more time on your browser, you can install a browser extension like Vimium to assist you in navigating the web with your keyboard, reducing the effort required to reach for and use your mouse every time you want to click something on a web page.
  
  

• Invest in hardware for a more meaningful typing experience. This last point is optional but worth considering. If you find yourself not fully convinced about utilizing your keyboard more, it could be due to your typing experience. I have to admit, I became much more motivated to use my keyboard extensively after purchasing a mechanical keyboard. The typing experience on a membrane keyboard or the built-in keyboard on laptops simply pales in comparison to the quality and satisfaction provided by a mechanical keyboard. So, perhaps investing in upgrading your hardware could lead to a more rewarding typing experience. Why not give it a try and see the difference for yourself? 😉

Conclusion 💡

Making greater use of your keyboard instead of relying heavily on your mouse offers several advantages, including increased productivity, reduced risk of injury, improved accuracy, and enhanced comfort. However, it is not necessary to learn every keyboard functionality and shortcut just to prove yourself. Don't be too hard on yourself; focus on learning what truly matters.

When learning something new, ask yourself a few questions: Will you use it frequently? Is it easily accessible on your current hardware? Is it worth investing time and effort into learning or having?

To develop the habit of using your keyboard more, start by learning basic commands and keyboard shortcuts. Dedicate yourself to practicing keyboard usage, challenging yourself, and gradually becoming accustomed to the habit. Additionally, strive to understand the functions of the keys on your keyboard as much as possible, allowing for a meaningful comprehension of their capabilities. Utilize shortcuts and commands in the software you regularly use to train yourself and enhance your execution accuracy. Consider using third-party tools and extensions to aid in integrating and adapting to this habit. Optionally, you can enhance your keyboard hardware to improve your typing experience, making the process of using the keyboard more enjoyable and fun.

Remember, the goal is to learn how to effectively utilize and maximize the potential of your keyboard and use this skill to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and to reduce discomfort and risk of injury 😉😁.