Be careful of this if your work requires you to switch between computers, or to work on computers you don’t control, or to have others work at your computer. If you have a Dvorak keyboard, none of your coworkers can write a single sentence when you’re sitting at your computer trying to figure out something hard. Making your own keyboard shortcuts is less of a problem, unless you rely on them and end up confused every time you go to help a coworker.
I’ll also add another meta tip: If you can tell that you’re not going to be productive for a while, consider actually taking time off (informally). You slept poorly and won’t be able to work well? Don’t go to work and unproductively attempt to do things on no sleep. Sleep in and get working once you’re feeling better. Obviously you can only do this if you’re working fairly independently or flexibly; but if you’re an office worker with a good boss, a student, or a freelancer, this is a good way to avoid burning out.
One warning to those who want to do
Learn Dvorak.
make your own keyboard shortcuts.
Be careful of this if your work requires you to switch between computers, or to work on computers you don’t control, or to have others work at your computer. If you have a Dvorak keyboard, none of your coworkers can write a single sentence when you’re sitting at your computer trying to figure out something hard. Making your own keyboard shortcuts is less of a problem, unless you rely on them and end up confused every time you go to help a coworker.
I’ll also add another meta tip: If you can tell that you’re not going to be productive for a while, consider actually taking time off (informally). You slept poorly and won’t be able to work well? Don’t go to work and unproductively attempt to do things on no sleep. Sleep in and get working once you’re feeling better. Obviously you can only do this if you’re working fairly independently or flexibly; but if you’re an office worker with a good boss, a student, or a freelancer, this is a good way to avoid burning out.