It’s a good idea to try and get a new mouse if yours is broken or wearing out. Once these mouse get old, they tend to cause more strain in your wrist and fingers. So if you have been feeling that way, it’s a good idea to consider getting a new mouse.
Replacing your mouse can help you get better at work and at play. And if you choose the right ergonomic mouse, it can also help prevent damage to your wrists and fingers.
And one of the frustrating things about getting a new mouse is that it takes time to get used to it. Every new adaptation takes a while. Trying something different can be confusing in the beginning but the brain is created to adapt over time.
Hours of practice for the smallest little change in our equipment tends to frustrate even the most patient ones. A deep breath and accepting change goes a long way to make you feel comfortable with that new mouse.
Think of it as an extension of your body, an extension of your arms or your fingers.
If you’re struggling in getting used to a new mouse, here are some tips that can help.
How to get used to a new mouse quickly
Whenever you adjust to new equipment and a new setting it can be a frustrating experience. Like all of a sudden, it is taking a long time for you to get work done. The brain likes familiarity and takes time to adapt.
Here are some simple yet effective tips to get used to a new mouse quickly.
Training
Remember how I said that you will have to think of the mouse as an extension of your arm or fingers.
It takes training, practice, and patience.
Transition is best when it is done at once. Instead of slowly getting used to the new mouse, it is better to adapt to it at once. Training every day for some fixed time (a few minutes or even hours) will get back your skill productivity to 80% or more.
Practice
An extra week of consistent practice can make you extremely proficient at using the mouse. If you have chosen a good ergonomic mouse, it may even lead a lot more productivity and comfort.
When you change your mouse the time you take out for practice to adjust can improve your productivity skill overall.
Consider changing the settings
Going inside the hardware settings of the mouse definitely helps in getting used to it. You can go in and edit properties like pointer speed, pointer precision and even more specific settings like double click speed.
These days many mice have an option to choose between high and low DPI counts. Consider altering these settings as well until you find the mouse working comfortably for you.
Patience
Be patient with yourself. Remember the mouse does not define your work or skill but it is only a piece of equipment that helps you do your work and display your skill.
It will take time to adjust to your new mouse and the new settings that come along with it or the new mousepad or whatever it is that you are changing.
Remember not to berate yourself if you slow down. Do not think that you have lost your skill. It will just take time to adapt.
Next up you would want to know, how much time?
Time
Well, to be frank, time taken to adjust depends on a few factors. Factors like whether you are also changing the style of holding the new mouse or is it designed to hold in the same way.
What I mean is whether you have gone from verticle mice to trackball mice or is it the same design but just a new piece.
In the case of former, the time taken will be a bit longer whereas in case of latter the time taken will be relatively consistent.
To sum up, getting used to a new mouse without changing the holding position shouldn’t take more than a week to get fully used to it.
Getting used to a new mouse with a change in holding position can take much longer. For some people, they get used to it after around two to three weeks and some may need up to two months to fully transition and perform better than before.
If you train and practice more you will get used to the new mouse faster.
If you want to get used to a new mouse very quickly, the fastest way is by competing against someone or some tasks a few times. The human brain is strange. It tends to adapt quickly with stress around. This way the transition period will decrease and you will get used to the new mouse quickly.
I would advise you to use this way only if you are in a hurry and want to get used to your new mouse as fast as possible. Getting used to the new mouse while competing will also improve your overall skill performance.
In case you’re considering buying an ergonomic mouse, I highly recommend you check out Logitech M570 wireless trackball mouse. I have been using it for more than 3 years now and it’s one of the best ergonomic mouse out there (I tried a few).
Important things to consider while buying a new mouse
Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying a new mouse:
Size and shape
If you spend hours a day working with a computer mouse, go for an ergonomic one! They will help you fight off repetitive strain injuries and keep your hands and wrists healthy for years to come.
They are designed to fit in your hand in a more natural way reducing strain in your fingers and wrists. They also tend to have extra buttons within easy reach of your digits. Some examples of ergonomic mice are vertical mice and trackball mice.
However, how comfortable they depend on many conditions, including the kind of grip you prefer. Some users like to hold their hand flat while others prefer a more claw-like grip.
Size is another factor when it comes to comfort. While many mice come in both right and left-handed versions, not all do. Test a few out first to understand what fits in your hand. If you are comfortable with a small version like a palm grip or just big enough to use your fingertips.
Click sensitivity
Check for the click sensitivity. Most of the mice are up to date in that technology and the sensor is going to be good enough. Take a demo nevertheless just to be sure you are comfortable with the click sensitivity.
Some mice also come with additional buttons
Also, keep in mind that it should not produce an incessant clicking sound. It may not bother you but it may bother others nearby.
Other things you can also consider are wireless or with wire depending on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
Do not resist change. Jump right into using the new mouse instead of gradually using it as an excuse to get used to it.
Generally, the best way to get used to the new mouse is by training, fine-tuning mouse settings, consistent practicing and being patient.
A word of caution. Sometimes even after trying all of the above, the mouse does not seem a good fit for you. You just can’t get used to it. In such cases, try different brands, styles and ditch the uncomfortable one.
It is a good idea to check out demo models beforehand.
Hope this has been helpful and I wish you all the very best with your new mouse!
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