Short-term Losses, Long-term Gains

I am a slow touch typer. But at least I can do it. And that's only because I taught myself back in 2017. Yes, we learned in school growing up, but it wasn't heavily enforced and nor was there a word per minute (wpm) minimum that we needed to graduate. And I think there should have been. (And hope there is now).

I just finished NaNoWriMo and wrote 53.5k words in the month of November and I did it with a hybrid touch type/modified. Horrible hand positioning. And totally ashamed. So now, as I let my novel stew, I am reinforcing this skill with daily 1.5h touch typing practice with correct finger positioning. And in this day and age, if you are not touch typing 60 wpm with a 98% accuracy (if not 100%) then you are doing a disservice to yourself, and your employer/clients. This should be the minimum to feel some level of productivity with this machine. (My goal is 80 wpm with 98% accuracy by the summer; only 1% can type 100> wpm).

Doing the math between 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 wpm and you are insane if you don't want to learn to type a minimum of 60 wpm. I would love to finish whatever I am typing in half the time. And who wouldn't. Touch typing allows you to economize energy and put it towards the more important stuff like creativity and composition. I'm sold. Writing is hard enough. If I can save energy I'll do it.

In my first week, I have found that touch typing is far more economical and efficient. My word. It feels effortless compared to hunting and pecking. So as much as it hurts to be slow in the short run, the long term gains are massive. And in reality, it doesn't take long to get up to 60 wpm and 98% accuracy– two, maybe three months. Just think of all the time one saves on the other end, in perpetuity.

Everything in life is worth the short term loss and long term gain. Especially if it brings you pleasure and is linked to revenue streams. (Even if we get hit by a bus tomorrow...)