Sunday, August 31, 2014

Life Lessons I Learned from a Computer Keyboard

My work entails sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours every night. There are weekly goals, reports and ad hoc tasks that always seem to be labeled "ASAP." The keyboard has been my friend. It helps me put down my thoughts, complete my tasks and taught me these valuable lessons that I apply not only in my job, but in my life as well.

1. CTRL + ALT + DEL. The greatest keyboard function that has helped me survive the worse of the worst. CTRL, short for "CONTROL". When I stare problems in the eye, I look down at my keyboard and stare at the CTRL key. Control, control, control. Chill. Relax. Take a breather. Sort things out. Temper flares won't get me anywhere. I have to take the reins and look at the bigger picture. Why did I have this problem? Where did I go wrong? What are the things that I can control? What are the things that I cannot? Then I move on to ALT, short for "ALTERNATE." I look for ways to work through the task. I said "work through" not "work around." There is a big difference between the two, wherein the former means to face the task and the latter means to find a way to avoid the task. I think of solutions to make me finish the work quicker without compromising quality. The last key is DEL, short for "DELETE." This teaches me to eliminate the factors that steer me away from the goal. Delete redundant tasks, useless files, and time consuming activities. Whenever I feel confused, angry or depressed, I remember those three keys - CTRL+ALT+DEL.

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2. F5. Refresh. After sorting out a problem, I find it essential to refresh my mind to open up new ideas. Just like pressing F5 on your keyboard. I stand up, walk away from my desk and look out the window. I let my mind wander for a while, looking at the stars or the bright lights of the buildings around me. 

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3. F11. Go full screen. Using the keyboard key F11 allows me to view a webpage full screen. In the real world, an effective strategy to solve problems is to look at the situation from a wider perspective. I can see other details hidden from my initial view of the matter. With all things clearer, I can now work on a viable solution.

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4. F1. Pressing F1 in most browsers will take you to their Help tab. As for me, it reminds me that I can always ask for help when I need it. 

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5. ENTER. The "affirmative" key. In life, we do have to take risks and "enter" doors that lead to either opportunities or misfortune. Until I am doubly-doubly sure of what I have written my my book of life, only then will I press the "Enter" key.

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6. ALT+F4. The keyboard combination of quitters and non-achievers. Pressing this combination will close the window or take me to the Shutdown Menu. I have been tempted to do an "ALT+F4" so many times in my life. However, the calling of CTRL+AL+DEL was stronger, and I am definitely a fan of F5.

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However, the best key I love is shown in this picture below:

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Have a blessed Sunday and a great week ahead! :)

25 comments:

  1. Awesome analogy. I have to remember that F5 button. We all need to take time out to refresh.

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  2. I did enjoy your analogy too. Boy could I relate to the Alt+F4 combo and have thought the very same thing at times... LOL.

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  3. great post here. indeed like you i like spending my time on the computer not only to learn but also to administered things that i can help with others

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  4. I like the power of ctrl+alt+delete. :)

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  5. These are so helpful, thank you! Learned something new today.

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  6. This is really interesting - never ever thought to compare computer keys to life but you did a terrific job - I love the Alt+F4 analogy - very suitable.
    Lenie

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  7. Completely loved this post! It's completely original and who can't relate to a keyboard in this day and age???? It also strikes me that these are shortcuts... who isn't looking for a shortcut to refresh:) Brava!

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  8. My maiden name is with ñ which a lot of people don't know how to do in the keyboard so my maiden name would always look n instead of ñ. All it is pressing alt(hold it and then press)164 and you got the ñ.

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  9. thoughtful post and simply loved it!

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  10. wow! very good analogy. Me, when things go out of way, ang ginagawa ko lang eh, SHUT DOWN..

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  11. Nice! It's a great metaphor. ^_^ Very creative post!

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  12. Creative post. I've never thought of the computer keys in that way. Rebooting it does give a new start and things definitely move faster after doing so.

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  13. This was so cute!! We can learn and reflect from everything we do!

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  14. One of my favorites is hitting Alt-Ctrl-Del simultaneously to escape whatever it is you're stuck with. Usually some kind of frozen screen. It's the second chance function. Don't know what you did wrong but here you are, have another go at it. Didn't know about F11. Thanks for the info.

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  15. What a great post Eileen. I loved the analogy you made of the keyboard and life and also learnt some new tricks there. That ctl alt del is the best and I will remember that always.

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  16. I love this post. And those keys' function can also be applied to one's life. :)

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  17. Very nice post an analogy. It is necessary to apply these functions of Laptop keys in our lives. I always try to remember "Control" when I get so angry then I just remember this word but I never thought of link with keyboard.

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  18. Since you said ou love F5, I tried it... Haha. You are cool. I didn't t know th F1.

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  19. Very sweet analogy of an everyday accessory to a powerful machine. Like you I am finding the Ctrl+Alt+Del works wonders. Better and much more cost efficient than the hammer.

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  20. ctr alt delete.. is by far the best command.. well besides your blog button.. lol

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  21. You did such a great comparison, never thought of computer keys like that before.

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  22. I loved how you tied that altogether. Great post! I don't have any help buttons on my keyboard I could go for an easy button...lol

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  23. Oh my goodness! I love this! You are 100% right- take a breather, refresh, etc.

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  24. Who knew the keyboard could teach us so much!

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  25. Interesting way of putting it, and oh so true!

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