Improving Your Mac Workflow: Tips and Tricks for Power Users
Efficiency is king for Mac power users. Every second counts if you want to streamline your workflow and boost productivity. So, without wasting more time, let’s look at the tips and tricks that will empower you to take your Mac experience to the next level.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
You can save approximately 134 hours in a year using keyboard shortcuts instead of a trackpad or mouse.
Mac computers come with preset keyboard shortcuts, such as Command + Tab to switch between open windows, Command + C to copy items, Command + V to paste items, Command + Spacebar to bring up Spotlight search, and so on.
There are also shortcuts to elevate your Safari browsing experience. For instance, Command + R is the refresh shortcut in Mac. You can use this shortcut to refresh a web page on Safari or any other web browser of your choice.
Suppose you want to take screenshots, press Shift + Command + 5. This will bring up the screenshot menu where you can choose to screenshot the entire screen, a specific part of the screen, or screen record with/without audio.
You can go to the System Preferences or System Settings application to view and customize the Mac keyboard shortcuts. When creating new shortcuts, ensure not to use the preset shortcuts.
Utilize Mission Control
For effortless workspace management, you can use Mission Control. With this, you can create multiple desktops and instantly switch between them. All the windows can be organized with great ease.
Personalize Trackpad Gestures
The trackpad is customizable on Mac devices, and this is your secret weapon for boosting productivity. You can use various gestures on the trackpad to rotate, zoom, and scroll. Also, you can add personalized gestures.
Navigate to System Preferences or System Settings > click Trackpad > set up gestures for streamlining your workflow. Some popular gestures are moving the cursor to the corner of the screen to open Mission Control or swiping with three fingers to see all the notifications.
Exploit Spotlight to its Full Potential
You can bring up Spotlight search by pressing Command + Spacebar. Here, you can search for different apps and launch them. Besides searching for an app, you can utilize Spotlight to perform basic calculations and unit conversions.
Increase Screen Space
Depending on your Mac model, the screen space will vary. If you are using an iMac, you might never complain about screen space. But if you are using a MacBook Air, you may wish for a little more space to get things done.
You can utilize the Split View feature to use two apps simultaneously. If you have an iPad, you can use the Sidecar feature to use your iPad as a secondary screen for your Mac device.
Turn on Sync
If you have an iPad and a MacBook, it would be better to turn on sync. This will ensure you always have the files with you. So you don’t have to carry your Mac everywhere with you. You can access the files on your iPad.
Also, you can turn on iCloud sync so that all your data is easily accessible across your Apple devices. By using the same Apple ID, you can access everything you need in real-time.
Utilize Focus Mode
Focus is a mode that you can toggle for your Mac and/or iPhone. Then, the Focus settings can be synced across your Apple devices.
You can access Focus from the menu bar on your Mac. Click Focus, and you will see two options – Sleep and Do Not Disturb. You can personalize them both in System Preferences or System Settings.
Focus can be set on a schedule so that it automatically turns on at specific times during the day. You can choose from various Focus modes like meeting, work, gym, and sleep or create custom Focus modes according to your requirements.
Keep Your macOS Up-to-Date
Although it is obvious, many users forget to update their macOS software. If you are guilty of doing this, it can significantly impact security and performance. So, ensure to turn on automatic macOS updates whenever there’s a new version available.
macOS updates come with security patches, bug fixes, and performance enhancements.
Declutter Regularly
You cannot be your most productive if your Mac desktop is cluttered. So, curb your temptation to use the desktop as the dumping ground. Create folders and neatly organize the files. You can also use the Stacks feature to keep your desktop clutter-free.
Use Productivity Tools
Exploring productivity tools and adding them to your arsenal is a good idea. Here are some examples:
- Alfred: This is a powerhouse application with a host of features like clip text snippets, launching apps, and so on.
- TextExpander: With this tool, you can eliminate repetitive typing. All you need to do is create abbreviations, and they will be automatically expanded into full phrases.
The Bottom Line
So, this is how you can get the most out of your Mac. Using these tips and tools will transform your Mac into a powerful engine that fosters productivity.
