Dump the mouse

When I started to use keyboard shortcuts, instead of relying on the mouse, everything changed.

I got faster and more efficient in writing code plus I actually have to remember less things now. In today's email I want to show you my top 3 keyboard shortcuts that I use every day all the time:

1. CMD TAB (ALT TAB) - Change between open windows

This is by far the most important and most used shortcut for me. I am amazed how many times I run into people who don't use this. I could not live without this! If you don't use it yet, START NOW!

2. CMD S (CTRL S) - Save

If you are using your mouse to save your code, I am sorry but you are doing it wrong. I save my code hundreds of times a day and doing it without a shortcut would not only be a lot more work but it would be much slower too.

3. CMD SPACE (WIN) - Search / open any app

I don't use mouse for opening up apps and files. I always open up the spotlight search (Start menu in Windows) and type in the app name. Opening everything this way is first of all faster, but it also saves you from having to remember where everything is.

Start using them

The problem with keyboard shortcuts is that you don't know that you need them until you use them.

Learning to remember new keyboard shortcuts might feel like harder thing to do than just keep using your mouse. I have been coding for the better part of 10 years and using computers daily over 20 years and if there is one tip I would give, it is to start using keyboard shortcuts. It is one of those things that you need to try out yourself to realise how handy they are.

Try to adopt one of the shortcuts above and I promise, you won't go back using your mouse for that function.

Cheers, Tuomo

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