If you use your Mac for business or personal-related projects, you may want to simplify some time-consuming processes to save time and boost productivity.
But how do you do that? By getting familiar with the best Mac time-saving tips!
Below, we have highlighted 13 important Mac Time-saving tips. These tips are designed to help you carry out time-consuming processes easily, thus ensuring that you work faster and smarter.
- Get started faster
Want to save time with your Mac? Why not start by trying to reduce the time spent waiting for your macOS to boot?
And how do you do this?
First off, go to the system preferences. There, select Users & Groups, then your name, then Login Items to view the programs that start up with the computer. You can equally discard anything you feel is irrelevant to reduce the time spent waiting for your system to start up.
- Tidy the menu bar
The menu bar gives you quick access to anything, from apps to notifications and files. Check inside apps to see if they have a menu bar option, press Cmd for a few seconds, and click and drag to move the menu bar icon to a location of your choice. Alternatively, you can use an app like Bartender to design the menu bar to your taste.
- Move multiple files
Perhaps you want to reorganize your digital workspace by moving 15 discontiguous files to separate locations. Your instinct may advise you to move them individually, but that could cost you some time.
Instead of going down that road, you can move the files at a go and save time. To do that, you’ll need to learn how to select multiple files on Mac. And after, you can choose the first file you want to move, press and hold the Command key and select the other files. To deselect multiple files, command-click each item.
- Conduct searches quicker and faster.
Whenever you want to save time on your macOS, always turn to Spotlight ( Cmd+Space). Use this shortcut to make calculations or conversations easily. You can also check the weather, locate messages from individuals (“messages Dad”), or search for specific emails, documents, etc., using specific keywords.
- Rename groups of files
What happens if you have a bunch of files to rename? Do you go about remaining them individually? You’ll spend a lot of time trying to do that! Instead of going down that frustrating road, you can rename groups of files the easiest way.
First, select multiple files in Finder, then select File and Rename. You can rename all the files in one go by locating and replacing a group of characters, including new text, or indicating a new format.
- Learn your shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can help reduce time wastage, thus increasing your productivity. However, you can only leverage this hack if you know where these shortcuts are.
Apple has a list of macOS shortcuts. You can use them to navigate your way easily and quickly to certain programs. You can also use them to perform quick tasks. Ensure you research these shortcuts and keep them handy. If you can memorize them, do. If not, practice. With time, they’ll become a part of you.
- Make your shortcuts
As mentioned earlier, Apple has its official macOS shortcuts created by Apple. But don’t you think it’ll be cool if you can make your shortcuts? We bet you find this exciting!
To create a shortcut, select Keyboard, then Shortcuts from System Preference to make some adjustments. Alternatively, you can use a third-party program like Alfred to create your shortcut.
- Get assistance from Siri.
Typing can sometimes be hectic and time-consuming. You can save time and energy that would have been invested in typing by leveraging Apple’s digital voice assistance, Siri.
On your request, Siri can help change the brightness of your screen, scan your inbox for certain emails, display all the files you have worked on in the past 24 hours, etc. With a voice command, you can chill while Siri puts your system in order.
- Customize mouse and trackpad gestures
The right movements and clicks on your mouse and/or trackpad can save you a significant amount of time.
To optimize your mouse to save time, select Trackpad or Mouse from System Preferences to view or edit the outlined shortcuts. With this change in place, you can use your mouse to arrive at shortcuts and make gestures that help you save time.
- Increase your typing
Is there a phrase that you know you type a lot? It doesn’t matter what it is. You can make a shortcut for the phrase that then expands as required. This means that typing “ Irl” would come out as ” in real life,” for instance. To create your shortcut, choose Keyboard, then Text from System Preferences.
- Stack up the desktop
A cluttered computer can be unappealing. To fix this, you can leverage the desktop organization tool that comes with the macOS. This tool arranges files by placing them into stacks according to their type, date, or tag for easy reach. To organize your desktop, choose View and then Use Stacks to activate the feature.
- Clean up your notifications
Notifications are good. They draw your attention to important messages, whether it is an email, a social media message, a warning, etc. However, too many notifications can serve as a distraction that dwindles your productivity. To maintain focus and avoid distractions, you need to put your notifications in check.
And how do you do that?
Select Notifications from System Preference, and you can pick which programs can send notifications and create personalized Do Not Disturb Times.
- Turn on your Mac on a schedule.
Rather than wait for a few seconds for your Mac to turn on when it’s time for work, why not schedule a turn-on time? This way, your Mac turns on automatically at a selected time, so you don’t have to wait for it to boot. To schedule a turn-on time on your Mac, visit System Preference, open up Battery and select Schedule.
Conclusion
These Mac time-saving tips are not only designed to help you save time but boost your productivity as well. Of course, you don’t have to cram these hacks. With constant practice, they’ll become a part of you.
