Here's how you can master new software programs efficiently and quickly.

Before diving into software learning, establish clear and specific goals for your desired achievements, ranging from basic familiarity to advanced proficiency. Setting these targets enables the creation of a structured learning plan that aligns with your objectives. It's crucial to break down main goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach allows you to monitor progress and maintain motivation by ticking off each milestone. By methodically advancing through these steps, you ensure steady progress and the continuous reinforcement of your skills, ultimately leading to a comprehensive understanding of the software.

Spend some time exploring the software's interface and features without any specific agenda. Click around menus, open various tools, and familiarize yourself with the layout. This unstructured exploration can help reduce the intimidation factor of a new program and make the learning process more approachable. As you become more comfortable with the environment, you'll find it easier to focus on specific tasks later on. This initial period of exploration helps to build a foundational understanding, making subsequent, more structured learning experiences smoother and more effective.

If that doesn't work try and look up the information on YouTube or other platforms. That could hold the information that you are looking for. They might even have tasks that you can practice on your own.

Sometimes we are unaware of the full extent of the software and this can lead to discarding the software because we think it won’t be enough to solve our problem. Tutorials really come in handy during those time and with access to the pool of knowledge, internet, from the palm of hands, it doesn’t get any easier than this in exploring the limitations of the software of choice.

We have all heard that consistency is key but being consistent is hard work in itself. I get distracted fairly easily, so for me dedicating a fixed time for practice proved to be difficult. One thing that helped me was setting a reminder alarm for daily practice and using the Screenzen app to lock all distractions for 1 hour everyday. It helped me focus and develop a routine. Another habit that helped is that I dedicated a corner in my home for practicing and only that. When it was time for polishing my skills i would go to that corner; practice as much as i want and then never return to that corner for the entire day.

For me Feedback is critical when learning a new software. A fresh set of eyes can help see the hidden picture. Other’s experiences are as valuable as ours and tips and tricks should always be welcome.

Ask your managers at work to look at what you have been doing. Or ask them if you can shadow them and ask questions about how they are doing it. Take notes and go over them when you get home. Write out questions about it so you can ask them the next day to clarify what they are doing.