How To Get Faster At Swimming

Tips and Tricks to Help You Type Faster

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These days many tasks require you to use a computer, whether you're at work, seeking entertainment or just at home paying your bills or shopping. For this reason, knowing how to type as fast as possible is becoming one of the most important skills you can possess. Not only does it make your day-to-day life easier, but it can help you qualify for various jobs. It also allows you to multitask, because when you type quickly, you don't even think about which keys you're tapping. Here are some tips and tricks to help you type faster:

Ditch Your Old Habits

The first thing you need to do if you want to create good habits that allow you to type faster is ditch your bad habits. If you type with one or two fingers, it's time to learn to type with all 10. If you only type with one hand, it's time to type with two. If you type with both hands and all 10 fingers, but you don't put your fingers on the right keys, it's time to learn proper positioning. Basically, you need to relearn everything you know about typing. Like with any habit, it may seem difficult at first. But with a little practice, it'll be well worth it.

Look to the F and J Keys

Take a look at the F and J keys on your keyboard. You may or may not have noticed in the past that these two keys have raised lines or dots on them. As it turns out, those features actually mean something. This is where your index fingers from each hand should rest when you're getting ready to type. The raised portion allows you to feel for those keys without even looking at the keyboard, which should be your ultimate goal in the future. Your last three fingers on each hand will rest on the remaining keys on that line of the keyboard.

Practice With Typing Tests and Games

Once you crack your old habits and learn the correct finger positioning on the keyboard, the best way to get better is to practice, practice and practice some more. Think of yourself as an athlete training for a big game. A simple Google search of "typing tests" or "typing games" will bring up dozens of sites that provide you with some unique ways to practice. If you're a competitive person, consider a game like TypeRacer, which allows you to race against other players and see who types the fastest. Typing Maniac is another fun game that allows you to play against your Facebook friends.

Learn Your Keyboard Shortcuts

While knowing keyboard shortcuts won't necessarily make you a faster typer, it helps ensure your computer skills are faster and more efficient. Instead of stopping what you're doing, removing your hands from the keys to use the mouse and then repositioning your fingers when you're finished, you can simply perform several functions without even moving your hands. For example, Ctrl + C allows you to copy a word, line or passage and Ctrl + V allows you to paste. Ctrl + Z allows you to undo your last bit of typing, and Ctrl + A allows you to highlight everything on a page.

Improve How You Sit

Last but not least, the way you sit at your computer can actually play a role in how well or how fast you type. The more comfortable you are and the better posture you have, the quicker you'll get those words on the screen. It's best to sit at a desk with good back support and your feet planted on the floor. You should be facing straight ahead with your shoulders and neck relaxed. Keep your elbows close to your sides. Finally, don't rest your wrist on your deck or the bottom part of your keyboard. If any of this is uncomfortable, consider buying support products from your local office supply store.