Do you use your Mac regularly? If so, you must strive to be more productive to get the most out of your device. Luckily, Macs are one of the most feature-packed, user-friendly systems available and support both beginners and experienced users.
Here are five handy tricks and tips that will make you more productive while working on your Mac and save precious hours of your day.
Table of Contents
1. Learn Gestures and Keyboard Shortcuts
When interacting with your Mac, gestures can be the most effective way. You can achieve tasks quickly and effectively using gestures. The magic trackpad, Magic mouse, or the glass trackpad on Macs can accurately recognize gestures, much like an iPhone screen.
These are thought of as unparalleled input devices. If you master some of the gestures, you can quickly navigate your way across your system, completing your tasks.
For example, gestures like pinch to zoom are intuitive and easy to learn. You can quickly double-tap using two fingers in Safari to zoom in on a specific area you wish to see, and you can swap desktops in full screen mode with a quick three-style finger swipe.
You can also use the two-finger swipe left and right to scroll backward and forwards in Safari. With these gestures, you don’t have to click and move your mouse around. So, your experience will improve manifold.
After mastering the gestures, focus on learning keyboard shortcuts on your Mac. For many users, keyboard shortcuts are the preferred way to access the most common application features and functions.
For instance, you can quickly cut, copy and paste with the shortcuts Command + X, Command + C, and Command + V. Much like this, there are other shortcuts you need to learn, and you can also customize the shortcuts according to your preference.
Go to System Preferences > click Keyboard > select Keyboard Shortcuts to customize the shortcuts. It would be best to remember not to assign the same shortcuts that already exist. With time, you can stop using the mouse altogether and get comfortable with these shortcuts to easily open and close windows, scroll through a page, get to the search bar, etc.
2. Create a Dual Monitor Setup
The MacBook Pro dual monitor setup can take your productivity to the next level. Working with one or two external monitors allows you to divide your tasks and work on several apps simultaneously.
For example, you can use your primary monitor to save files and documents or see notifications, and the second monitor can run tasks. Or, you can continue your tasks on the primary monitor while the second monitor is used for attending a Zoom video conference call.
3. Mission Control
Mission Control is an excellent feature on your Mac, making you rethink the window and application management concept. You can get a decluttered view of the windows and spaces, and when the windows are grouped, it makes it easier for you to finish your tasks.
Furthermore, Mission Control gives you a bird’s eye view of your open windows and apps. You can open the active windows in full screen mode or use the Split View feature. This makes it easier for you to switch between apps and windows. You can activate Mission Control by pressing F3 on your keyboard.
4. Color Code and Correctly Name Folders/Documents
Color coding and properly naming the folders or documents is not a hack, but it is more common sense to save precious time.
If you label your files and documents accurately, it will become easier for you to look for them when you need them. Also, macOS comes with an effective color-coding option for documents and folders. You can utilize this to indicate how critical or urgent a file or document is.
When it comes to labeling, you can highlight something according to where it fits in the workflow. Then, you can re-label them before sending the files or documents to your colleagues or clients.
Proper labeling and color coding may save you a few seconds or minutes, but if you are someone who has to deal with multiple files at once, you will understand its importance.
5. Master Using Spotlight
Using Spotlight is one of the most effective and quickest ways to find items on your Mac. The tool provides you with a complete index of every single item on your device, like contacts, files, movies, pictures, music, etc.
You can find Spotlight in the top right menu bar or access it using Command + Spacebar. When the tool opens, type the name of the app or item you want to open and look through the preview by hovering your mouse over the item.
Final Thought
These are the five effective ways to improve productivity when working on your Mac. Remember these to get the most out of your computer.
