I use Alfred to switch between applications using keyboard shortcuts. On average, I use Alfred 127 times per day, mostly to use keyboard shortcuts.
I recorded a three key shortcut and found it takes just under 0.4 seconds to complete. Changing between programs using a mouse takes about 1.5 second (though I would argue the variance is much higher if you need to dig around the screen or screens to find the window). As a Fermi estimate, I save 16 minutes per week and ~14 hours per year.
That’s just for switching between applications! I use keyboard shortcuts everywhere, especially when writing and editing text (90% of my work).
See also:
- Typing fast is thinking with your hands, keyboard shortcuts surely help with the fluidity of thinking as you flip between applications
- Text editors like Emacs are entirely keyboard driven (although there is mouse support) making them much more efficient
- Slowness begets more slowness
Links to this note
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How Long Should You Spend Automating Tasks?
This chart, adapted from xkcd, tells you the amount of time saved over 5 years based on how much time you are able to shave off of the task. For example, a task that you do daily that you are able to reduce by 30 minutes will save 5 weeks of time over 5 years. This chart can also tell you how much time you should spend on trying to optimize so you don’t spend more time than it’s worth.