Day 13 - Starting speed + 4

If you fall behind in speed, don't try to catch up to the metronome. If you get behind then try to fall into the rhythm again, without stopping if possible. Trying to gain speed by catching up to the metronome serves no purpose whatsoever and is counterproductive.

Day 14 - Starting speed + 4 + 4

You will do better when you think of groups of letters, sometimes even whole words, instead of individual letters. This involves slowing down to absorb the text in advance (much like reading music, where you are virtually always looking several bars ahead). Thus, you will be more involved with the text than you were on the old keyboard. In the long haul, this is the key to high speed. Theoretically, one stroke can be up to 8 characters, i.e., "aoeuhtns" The words "the" and "and" are 1 stroke. "Qu(aoeui)" and "ght" are not. Dr. Dvorak laid out his keyboard with utmost rationality and care, but I do wonder why "Q" was placed where it is. "Q" is always followed by a "U" and then another vowel. "Qui" is actually 3 strokes. I wonder about that one.

Days 15 - 30 - Add 4m each day.

This is your chance to break the bad habits you originally developed when you learned the old keyboard. Three of my own are:

1. Overreaching the top row and hitting the numbers. This doesn't happen as often with the new keyboard because you use the top row less. Nevertheless, I remain mindful of this habit.

2. Teeth clenching/grinding. Keep one of those plastic jugs (the ones with a plastic straw) of water at hand and hit on it often. Hold a small amount of water in your mouth if necessary. If you have this noxious and expensive habit then it is very important that you break it immediately.

3. Speeding up. With the Dvorak keyboard you can speed up way out of your range in no time at all. If you find that your typing is choppy, then you are speeding up too much. Typing is one area where you speed up by slowing down.

Days 31 - 35 - Keep adding 4m each day.

You must eventually be able to use both layouts with ease and with no habitual cross-reaching on either layout. It's unfortunate, but for the foreseeable future, there will always be situations where you will have to type on a typewriter, on somebody else's computer, work in groups. Although I haven't seen it, there may exist software that is only compatible with the standard alphabetic layout. Be sure to get reacquainted with the old keyboard. Your ultimate goal must be to possess excellent keyboard skills on both layouts.

Days 36 - 39 - Keep adding 4m each day.

While not directly related to keyboard work, exercise is always worth mentioning. If you walk for exercise, let your arms swing freely but without excessive motion. Letting your arms swing freely will help the blood in your arms and hands to circulate, and blood will not pool in your fingers. Do not carry things such as briefcases, backpacks, pocketbooks . . anything to slow you down. There are probably other ways to get your items to the destination. Putting stuff in pockets is probably the best way to carry things as long as it doesn't inhibit your arm swinging. Buy jackets and coats with large pockets. I walk the two miles from my home to work every day except when weather prevents it. Even in Syracuse, New York, you would be surprised at how few days one has to miss on account of weather. On bad weather days, I take the campus shuttle bus and carry needed items to the office. You, too, can figure out a way to transport your goodies without carrying them by hand.

On the first cold morning of autumn I noticed I clenched my fists for warmth during my walk to work. When the temperature gets below, say, 45 degrees (find your own cold tolerance), wear a pair of light gloves. Do not walk with clenched fists. Under any circumstances do not use Heavy Hands or things you have to grip while you walk. If you want to weigh down your arms, strap the weights to your wrist. Don't carry a Walkman in your hands; fasten it to your belt instead.

If you read the section on psycho-epistemology in the narrative, it might interest you to know that the so called runners high is related to it. When you experience a runner's high; it's easy to forget whole sections of the walk. If you experience this, then plan your walks so that you do not repeat sections (counting laps around a track, for instance). You can actually forget whether it's the first or second time around.

Day 40 - End of Program

When you get to the fortieth day, end your program. You're done. 212m was fast enough to get me started; about 43 wpm copying text. It is now time to get on with the rest of your life.