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Late last week your office upgraded your main software. Now, it’s Monday morning, and you’re pulling your hair out, trying not to shout obscenities as you struggle to accomplish even the simplest of tasks.
But before you go badmouthing your new software, and requesting it be removed from your system (or the office entirely), try to give it at least a few days before you evaluate your software.
The Brain Trick
Our brains, in their infinite wisdom, always want to snap back to what’s familiar, at least initially. So when you first start using that new piece of software, it may send you signals about how difficult it is. It may even give you lots of reasons why you should go back to your old software. Don’t listen.
Instead, try to keep an open mind and remain judgment free, at least for a week or two. You should find that after even a day of using your new software, you’re a lot more comfortable with it, and therefore a lot less resistant.
If your brain is really making things difficult, try to seek comfort in the fact that you are learning something new, which is actually quite good for your brain, and remember that new skills take time to learn.
Keep Calm and Carry On
New software, even newer versions of the same software, often come with new tools and features. One of the easiest ways to reduce frustration when it comes to new software is to give yourself extra time when using it. Sure you could have gotten it done in 10 minutes using the old way, but think about how many hours you put into learning that system. The same holds true with the new software.
Giving yourself adequate time to use and learn your new software, along with reducing your expectations based upon past experiences, should go a long way to helping you enjoy the change.
Anytime new software is involved, there is always a learning curve. The important thing is to expect and understand this will happen, and not get frustrated when you can’t do something initially.
Over time, you’ll probably come to love your new software just as much as the old software it replaced, but you’ll never know how well it can work for you if you make snap decisions to remove it before you’ve even gotten a chance to use the software. When it comes to new software, do yourself a favor – wait before you evaluate – and you’ll be a lot happier with your experience in the long run.