Typing Classes

By far, the two most important skills that have drastically increased my efficiency have been using keyboard shortcuts, and becoming proficient at web search.

I'm always somewhat amazed when I see people right click, or even worse, select “edit” from the top left of their screen to copy, cut, or paste. I can't help but visualize myself in front of the computer, whizzing away at whatever task they're attempting, now several steps ahead. I often have to restrain myself from saying anything or feeling a bit of frustration. However, nothing else really holds a candle to ctrl+z.

Regarding searching, boolean (and other advanced search) operators have truly improved my personal effectiveness. Becoming proficient in SEO has also deepened my understanding of information retrieval. I almost never have difficulty quickly finding anything on the web. If it's there, I'll find it.

Great post! You reminded me of my (7th grade summer), my mom insisted that I take typing and sewing classes. Learning to type fast became an invaluable asset and in fact landed me my first “real” job as a word processor typing architectural specifications. I know…te-di-ous, but this forced me to read the instructions on how to build a house, or lodging within a national park. It taught me a great deal about the logic of foundation and taking steps. It taught me about structure, design and collaboration. I ultimately found the architecture of clothing (fashion design) to be more my style than building houses. The sewing classes payed off for me too, by helping me to get into fashion design school, where sewing skills were a pre-requisite. My development there interestingly enough, was propelled by the lessons I'd learned about design and construction while typing architectural specs!

I'm a strong supporter of lifelong skill-building and though I later chose a profession in technology and communications, all these skills — any many more — come to bear in my work. I'm currently engaged in the task of updating my professional skill-set, because somewhere along the road I forgot to keep that as a priority; we all know how fast the realms of technology and communications are changing! Like building a house, or any stable structure, it's one step at a time. The effort we put into developing our skills is always worthwhile because you never know when they're going to be called upon. You may be surprised to find yourself in a situation where the skills you've developed can enhance your life, or the lives of others.

Thanks for sharing this with us Chris, another great post full of food for thought.

Marie Gunter

I took typing as a high school in college, and it's probably the best class I took in my four years in high school. It's definitely been the one that I've been able to apply to the rest of my life.

I wish I had done better in Spanish and/or retained some of that. I think in today's multi-cultural world (especially here in California), having basic multi-lingual skills are important.

Great post, which remind me that I didn't do so well in typing class but just learning the correct positions on the keys made it easier in the long run to type much faster. I think sometimes when people look at their careers and how they might advance they look at much bigger items to tackle when taking that continuing education class at the local community college on organizing your desktop or advanced Excel skills might be just the thing to make your work day easier.

Me… in 7th grade. Touch-typing FAST is a serious asset. So is frustration-tolerance, an essential art in the stressful field of pediatric heart surgery.

Typing class … I learned on a typewriter. Many I know learned on a computer. Typewriter there is no backspace – just the correct tape, white out or start over. In the groove I type fast. My last test on 100% accuracy was 110 words a minute but there are days when I can barely get out 5 words a minute with no mistakes. Numbers do not matter as if you are in the moment, the fingers walk as fast on the keyboard as if you were talking. When I was in law as a secretary, I would transcribe dictation with my head back and my co -workers around me would say that they thought I was sleeping until they saw words on the screen. Funny now when I am writing a blog like the Who is Your Charlotte, I lean my head back and typed so fast and accurate that I spelled checked it a dozen times. I guess when you are able to put what is in your head down on the keyboard it comes naturally.

What I wished I learned years ago … nervous talk/babble

As for number one… join a Toastmasters Club and commit to attending every week for 2 years. At the end you will look back and say “WOWWY” about how much more comfortable you have become in front of a group. Will it make you a super slick professional… NO. But it will make you more confident and you will remove it from the list above. I have never heard of anyone who needed to improve their speaking skills and participated (note, participated… not joined and did not show up) who thinks it was a waste of time. There are clubs all over the world.. one near you!

I have my sister to thank for my typing skills. WAY BACK WHEN — she got a Smith Corona typewriter while in high school. I was 8 years younger & dying to use it. She agreed – but only if I learned how to type properly. I became an expert at “The quck brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” and more. Thanks Sis! Who knew that those skills would take me into the computer age…..

I also took typing classes – it was an option in high school and was probably the best course I took during high school. My parents also had me take public speaking private lessons. That has been incredibly powerful in my career and life. I will definitely sign up my kids when the time comes.

thanks for the morning smile, Chris.

I had a similar experience in high school when my best friend suggested I take a typing class with her. “When will I ever need to type?” I recall saying to my parents… who encouraged me to take the class.

How do I spend much of my day? In front of a computer.!

Hi Thom,
You're right. I need to make a promise to myself and keep it! We’re in Beijing and they have them here. Very popular with the local Chinese business people. Time to turn off the PC for a while and get out :)

My mom made me take “keyboarding” in high school. I was, maybe, a sophomore? Best class I've ever taken, hands down. I can also type REALLY fast. As fast as I think. That is worth a lot of $$ to me.

I would suggest personal communication skills (what to say to whom), financial basics (what to do with money) and understanding of nutrition (what to eat and why) to anyone. Why? Because these skills make you able to survive in many situations. Also a bit of technical skills come in handy every single day. Most things we use are abstract forms of very simple principles. Try to understand them and gain knowledge about them so you recognize them to your own advantage.

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I'm a wizened soul, so I learned to type on a typewriter, which had the added bonus of being able to slam the carriage back—whang!—at the end of a line. Very satisfying. My skills have stayed about the same, which means I still have to chase typos (which is part of what I do for a living, anyway).

If only it had been a violin (but then again, I would have mixed that up with a typewriter—whang!)

I taught myself to type after college by transcribing interviews for an editor I worked for. I learned to type faster because it was so tedius to keep having to rewind the tape.

The skills I find most useful today are:
- my table manners – can't be overlooked in social settings
- the ability to hold a conversation with ANYONE – my dad drilled that into me when I was a kid, and we still report back to one another when we've gone to meetings or weddings and had really absurd ones.
- the ability to disagree respectfully – I grew up around a lot of quick tempers. I'm stubborn, but even keeled. Learning how to communicate what I want to say and be heard, even if it wasn't what everyone else was saying might be one of the best skills I picked up along the way.

Chris,

Another Great Post.

Many years, (about twenty) ago I couldn’t type. I never took typing class in high school or college.

One day a client called and wanted his financial statements updated and mailed to him. I told him that it would have to wait a few days as our secretary was out. He was upset to say the least. He screamed in the phone, “You can’t type…that is unacceptable.” Then he hung up.

I got the message. I pickup the computer disk of Mavis Bacon Teaches Typing. I lugged home a 286 from my office and put it on my dining room table. They I typed and typed and typed.

Fortunately for me, this story has a happy ending. This client has become one of my best clients and friends. And, oh, I learned how to type.

Regards,

Thomas F. Scanlon, CPA, CFP®

I've learnead how to type pretty much the same way. And other very important skill for a lifetime is analysing. With this skill we can develop a bunch of other skills.

Chris, I finished high school owning a type writer but never having done a typing class. I then trained as a secretary and finished with typing speeds of 130wps with 98% accuracy. I've used my typing skills every since and I prefer to type something then write it down. I watch some of my fellow workers use the hunt and peck method and it's painful to watch. 3 years ago at a conference I took the notes as people were talking and I had so many come up afterwards asking 'how could I do that'. It takes practice and continue use to keep up your skills and that applies to anything you learn. The saying use it or lose it is true. Now I have blogs and social media and I keep up because I can type fast. That's not all you need to be able to write – you need to have something to say but if you can type as you think, it does make it easier.
My son can type because he's owned a computer most of his life but if you aren't a fast typist then take the opportunities on the net and from programs to learn.

Some of skills I wish I had if I was starting out again. Know how to fill in a tax return, how to budget and time management. I was lucky in that I was a fast reader since a kid and because I am shy my parents got me involved with Toastmasters Australia to help with speaking in public.

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