Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

I freely admit it - I'm naturally inept with computers. I touch a button and I wreck the whole thing, and that is only a slight exaggeration! Even though I have grown up using computers, there are constantly so many new features and programs that I have a hard time keeping up with the changes. I sometimes feel like an elderly person trying to figure out all this "new-fangled" stuff. But I have discovered lately that learning how to use computers is a process that naturally requires some trial and error. I used to get frustrated when I did not understand something right away, or when something did not work for me even though I was sure I was doing it right. After two months of taking this computer class, though, I have learned to relax and go with the flow. Sometimes it takes a few tries before I get something, but if I keep at it, my persistence usually pays off. It is a great feeling to solve a problem and learn something new at the same time. My advice for others like me who struggle with computers is this: be patient. Don't be afraid to try new things, and don't allow yourself to get frustrated. It's not worth your time or energy to let an inanimate machine ruin your day. If the computer freezes just before you get around to saving an hour's worth of work, though, feel free to shout at it.