10 Simple Tech Habits That Will Save You Hours Every Week

I’ve helped hundreds of businesses and home users get their tech sorted — and one thing I see time and time again is people losing hours to small inefficiencies they don’t even realise are there.

Here are 10 simple habits that can make a real difference.

1. Use keyboard shortcuts

Learning even a handful of shortcuts can save you minutes every hour. Start with the basics: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z, and Alt+Tab (Cmd on Mac). Once those are second nature, add more.

2. Set up text expansion

If you type the same phrases regularly — your email address, your ABN, standard replies — use a text expander. Type a short code, get the full text instantly.

3. Organise your desktop

A cluttered desktop isn’t just messy — it slows your computer down and makes finding files harder. Create a simple folder structure and stick to it.

4. Use browser bookmarks and tab groups

Stop Googling the same sites every day. Bookmark your most-used tools and use tab groups to organise your workflow.

5. Turn on autosave

Most modern apps have autosave built in. Make sure it’s turned on so you never lose work to a crash or accidental close.

6. Schedule your updates

Don’t ignore update notifications — but don’t let them interrupt your work either. Schedule updates for after hours so they run while you’re not at your desk.

7. Use cloud storage properly

Stop emailing files to yourself. Use OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to keep your files synced across devices and easy to share.

8. Clean up your email

Unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read. Set up filters to auto-sort important emails. Use the search function instead of scrolling.

9. Restart your computer regularly

It sounds simple, but a weekly restart clears out temporary files, applies updates, and keeps things running smoothly.

10. Ask for help sooner

The biggest time-waster I see? People spending hours trying to fix something that a quick call could solve in minutes. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

Start small

You don’t need to adopt all 10 at once. Pick two or three that resonate, build the habit, and add more over time. Small changes compound into big results.

Need a hand getting your tech workflow dialled in? Give me a call — I love this stuff.