We use technology every single day to accomplish a variety of tasks. If you work in a healthcare office, it’s used for patient check-ins, scheduling, appointment notes, patient data, and more. In
a law office, you likely store case files, court documents, and client information on your server. Construction companies use tech for client contracts, employee payroll, and blueprint storage.
For many employees and business owners, every part of their job relies on technology. Because of how much time we spend using tech, we tend to get used to the ways we’ve figured out to operate it, even if it’s not the easiest or best practices.
Below are 6 tips and tricks that will make your daily use of technology, whether at work or at home, simpler and smoother.
1. Utilize Keyboard Shortcuts:
There are tons of keyboard shortcuts you can use on a regular basis (way more than we will list here!), but learning and applying them to your routine will make it much faster to accomplish many tasks than using the mouse to do the same thing will. On a PC, you’ll mainly use “Ctrl” with a letter key, but on a Mac, you’ll use “command” with a letter key. So for example, Ctrl + Z or command + Z undoes a recent action, like if you deleted text on accident. Ctrl + C (or command + C) copies text, while Ctrl + V (command + V) pastes text. If you’re in a wordy document, Ctrl + F (command + F) allows you to search for specific words or phrases within the document. If you’re working on a spreadsheet, Ctrl + A (command + A) selects all of the cells. You can find dozens and dozens more of these keyboard shortcuts that are easy to add into your daily routine.
2. Use A Password Manager
You will never be able to create a password that is both random enough to be completely safe, and memorable enough to be easy to type in. With a password manager (we use Keeper at our office!), you’ll be able to just rely on your memory for one password (and that doesn’t mean writing it down on a sticky note on your monitor) to login to all of the websites and applications you use. You can also create new passwords using sites that generate random passwords and then further changing them yourself. However you can keep your data locked up tight without completely inconveniencing yourself, do it!
3. Manage Your Storage
Even setting aside a few minutes every Friday to empty out files you don’t need or clear your cookies will not only improve device performance, but also lengthen the life of your device. This can also be the time that you backup important data to a more secure location, which can prevent data loss, whether intentionally done by hackers, or accidental by deletion.
4. DIY Your Issues
We want to be the people to fix your devices, it’s what we do best! However, we understand that sometimes there isn’t time to wait in line behind other customers to get the solution you need. Learning how to do some of the simpler fixes on your own could save you a lot of time. Most of the time, a Google search should have an answer that is doable for the typical user. There’s normally even a YouTube video to walk you through each step.
5. Restart Your Device Regularly
This applies to your phone, your computer, your tablet, and anything else you use. Whether you know it or not, apps are running in the background and taking up space. These processes halt when you shut down and restart a device. If you want to get the most life out of your device, this is one of the most important and yet least done steps to take.
6. Stay On Top Of Updates
We cannot express the importance of this enough! Staying up to date with software updates and security patches keeps your device as tight as possible, and it helps your device perform at the top of its game. Updates generally correct bugs and address any vulnerabilities that your computer, phone, or tablet might have. It is always best to keep your device running with the latest software, especially if you’re having any issues that you can’t figure out.
