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When all else fails.....

© Lise Hogan

I'm embarrassed to admit how many times have I come home with a new electronic gadget, pulled it out of the box and tried to operate it without so much as a glance at the manual. I'm dyslexic. It takes TIME to read and decode all those instructions in microscopic print. I don't WANNA WAIT! I want to get right to it. I want to start using whatever it is I got immediately!

There have been problems with doing that. I've never permanently broken anything, but I have come close. Not reading instructions has usually ADDED time before I became proficient with the new gadget. It took me a long time to figure out how to blend my enthusiasm with reading the directions. This is what I do.

1. I glance over all the instructions - at least the how to get started. I read the headings to see what's ahead.

2. I try to find a diagram of the buttons and knobs on my new toy. I get familiar with what each of these things do.

3. I play with the basics. I learn those before I proceed to more complicated operations. I was taking photos with my digital camera before I tried to take a 15-second video.

4. I push buttons like crazy. I do make sure there is nothing saved on the gadget that I would cry over if I lose.

5. I keep the instructions handy. When I'm ready to try something new - they are there with me.

6. Store the instructions either with the gadget or in a file with instructions for every gadget you own. Whatever works for you.

It happens to the best of us - when we realize that some preparation is not a bad thing. It makes life a little easier.

:)