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When your computer slows to a turtle’s pace, it’s easy to feel your patience—and energy—drain away. You might try a few tricks, call for help, and maybe things improve after a reboot. But that ongoing battle? It’s exhausting, and it’s definitely not the fight you want to be stuck in. While solving these tech problems shouldn’t fall on your shoulders, having a bit of knowledge can make a difference. It helps set realistic expectations, provides insight so you can insist on a permanent fix by understanding the root cause, and makes it easier to be patient when you understand the ‘why.’
GLITCHES
Every time you try to save a CAD file, your computer stops responding, or when you send an email, Outlook locks up for five seconds. If you’re consistently experiencing these types of issues, it’s likely time to call tech support. Even though they might seem minor, these recurring problems can add up and seriously impact your work. Additionally, intermittent issues, while harder to solve, are still a sign of a technical problem and should be reported promptly so your IT team can begin troubleshooting. Don’t delay asking for help—not only will unresolved tech issues kill your productivity and mood, but the longer they go unaddressed, the more difficult they can become to fix.
NATURE
AutoCAD, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro—these are just a few examples of the resource-hungry tools creative professionals rely on. Even when you’re simply opening large design files to review, these programs demand significant resources from your system. Tasks like rendering, editing, or navigating complex documents are taxing on your computer, and if you’re working remotely, internet speed limitations can add an extra layer of bottlenecks. Creative teams are known to be heavy computer users, and the industry as a whole is notoriously resource-demanding. So, while those delays can be frustrating, understanding that your tools demand much more power than most industries can help you manage your expectations—and your patience.
HABITS
Ever catch yourself with a dozen browser tabs, multiple files, and email drafts all open at once? It’s a common habit, especially when you’re juggling a lot. But keeping everything running in the background ties up valuable system resources, slowing down what you’re actually trying to get done. Every tab, file, and email draft takes a little chunk of memory, and before long, your computer starts to feel the strain. And here’s the kicker: it’s proven our brains aren’t designed to multitask (read more here). Keeping as few things open as possible and focusing on one task at a time not only boosts your computer’s performance but also helps you be more productive. Plus, if one of those email drafts freezes, your computer will keep trying to communicate with it and get no response, causing even more delays. That’s why we recommend rebooting daily—it frees up those locked resources and solves many of these issues before they can slow you down.
LIMITS
Let’s assume you’re doing everything right—support has cleared any technical issues, and you’ve set reasonable expectations—but things are still unbearably slow. Perhaps it’s time to consider an upgrade? Remember, you’re in an industry that demands more from its tech. Beyond possibly needing a more powerful computer, it’s worth checking if your network equipment or internet connection could also use an upgrade. Having the right technology not only boosts productivity but also keeps you motivated to push forward, rather than settling for mediocre output.
Whether you’re dealing with glitches, an outdated computer, or habits that are slowing you down, understanding the problem is key to taking control. Knowing what’s causing the slowdown helps you tackle the root cause, rather than just living with the frustration. When it comes to tech, it pays to know enough to be dangerous. Armed with that knowledge, you can insist on solutions, address issues head-on, and never settle for less.
– Burak Sarac, Team Lead
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