Tips For the Late Blooming Computer User

For years Ive been a stay-at-home mom, and I have only recently
gone back into the work force.

Ive done pretty well for myself, but
I could have really saved some time and frustration in

the
beginning if Id just known a few things about how to use a
computer.

I come from the era of

the typewriter and adding machine, and the
computer was really intimidating to me at first. When I

first
entered the business world, I lived in constant fear of losing my
document or crashing my

machine. The word processor was my
enemy, as was business email. The only thing I could figure

out
was how to open incoming messages. This was fine for trading
those cute stories about

angels with my friends, but it had my
boss in a rage. Now, those of you who know the

difference
between an attachment and a hyperlink can stop reading, but if
youre as confused as

I once was, read on. Ive got some useful
tips.

First, face your fear. The computer is just a

machine. Its not
going to yell at you or blow up. Dont be afraid to press a key
or click on an icon

(those little picture boxes that link you to
programs and things.) Quite often I would end up staring at

my
screen afraid to move, because I didnt know what to do next and
I was afraid of the

consequences of making the wrong decision. I
wasted so much time. Just dive in. If you end up

doing
something that looks funny or wrong, you can almost always find a
solution.

Second,

save your work. This is so important in word processing
programs. Have you ever been typing

along, only to hit a wrong
key and have your entire document disappear? Boy, I sure have.
This

doesnt have to happen. If you just remember to hit "save"
(under the file menu on most all word

processors) every few
sentences, the most youll ever lose is a phrase or two.

Third, get to know

your undo and help keys. "Undo" simply
reverses the last action completed on the computer. If you

hit
something that makes your document go all kerflooey, chances are
you can just click "undo"

(under the edit menu usually) a time or
two and youll be fine. The "help" menu is another great

asset
in both word processors and email programs. Rather than sitting
there wondering how

many times youve already asked your boss to
explain something, just go to "help" and then type in

a question
like "how do I set up columns, or "how do I attach a file," and
the help feature will walk

you right through the steps. It can
take you a little time, but its better than constantly running
to

your boss and looking helpless.

Fourth, make a computer savvy friend. This is so important.

If
theres someone in the office who seems to be really good at the
computer, bring them some

cookies or take them to lunch and ask
them if you can have a little of their time. Have them sit

with
you for a few minutes while you work on a document or email. Do
this on a few different

occasions. Chances are theyll not only
be able to answer your questions, but theyll be able to

point
out some great shortcuts for you, too.

Computers dont have to be the unconquerable

beasts they
sometimes appear to be. Just face your fear and approach the
machine calmly and

logically, and chances are youll be doing
fine. The better you are at using your computer, the

better
youll be at your job, and the happier people will be with you!

Lisa Lake has created a list of

top promotional methods on her
http://MyAdBlaster.com Lisa also writes ad copy that sells for
DrNunley's http://InternetWriters.com Reach her

at
mailto:lisa@myadblaster.com or 801-328-9006.