There is a lot of great and powerful technology – software and devices alike – being released every day. As tempting as it is to ‘tech hop’ as soon as the latest tech becomes available, it is certainly not necessary. Oftentimes, the tech resources you have can serve you well for a good two years or more before you need to, or should, move on to the next best thing. Here’s why:
It’s not what you have, it’s how you use what you have
Yes, on one hand, having the latest tech tools in the palm of your hands can make how you get your work done a lot easier. Still, there is much that you can do even if you don’t have the latest and the best tools in hand. This is largely because – limited features aside – a lot of what you can do with your tech tools comes down to your ‘know-how.’ I’ve seen skilled individuals do a lot more with limited (read older) technology than others do with more powerful and complex (often newer) technology. In other words, even though newer technology may be ideal if you take the time to develop your skill and knowledge base, then chances are you can achieve a lot more with older technology than you realise. Below we look at some tips that can help you do that.
3 Quick Tips to Help You Maximise Any Tech Tool You Are Using
1. Be clear on your objectives
It is true, that if you don’t know where you’re going, any road can take you there. One of the surefire ways to make the most of older technology is to be clear on what your goals are. If you will be using a cellular phone for mobile photography or filming, for example, it will help if you are clear on the look you’re going for and the format you’ll be using. Once you have a clear direction, you can fill in the blanks by outlining the needed steps to get you there.
2. Understand the limitations of your tech tools
Even the latest technology has limitations. This is even truer of older technology. To make the best of whatever tech tools you are using to achieve the objectives or goals outlined in number one, you will need to have a good understanding of what your choice of tech can and cannot do. Become acquainted with what the strongest features are and how you can use them to your advantage. Understanding work-a-rounds is also a good thing. The more you know about the features and capabilities of the tech of your choice, the better you will be able to chart a way forward on how you can best accomplish your goals.
3. Do your research
Finally, doing your research regarding the features of your tech, as well as the techniques you can use to maximise its capabilities will save you a lot of time and headache as you use any tech tool to achieve your objectives. For example, proper research will help you identify quick keys and shortcuts so you can work faster instead of figuring out how to do things on your own (and usually the long way).
So, there you have it. Quick tips to help you make the best of the technological resources you do have while you work to get your hands on some of the latest gadgets, devices, and software.
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