Increase Your Productivity in Just 20 Minutes Per Day

You probably came here because you want to squeeze more out of your work day. One of the biggest time drains many people overlook is typing. We write emails, memos, documents, messages—all day. Yet very few people work on typing faster.

Imagine if your employer made "words per minute" (WPM) a standard metric. Because typing is something almost everyone does, improving WPM is one of the simplest wins in productivity.

Typing quickly is not about hand size or natural dexterity. You don't need perfect accuracy at first (tools like spell-check help). Faster typing is about practice and habit.

The Benefits of Faster Typing

Investing a little time every day to improve typing gives compounding returns.

• 20 minutes of practice per day over a few months can halve the time you spend typing common tasks.
• Every email written, document drafted, or note taken becomes more efficient—over years, that adds up to many, many hours saved.
• Faster typing reduces mental friction. Less time thinking about where keys are, more time focusing on content.

What's a Good Typing Speed?

Here are some benchmark speeds:

• The average typist typically types around 40-45 WPM.
• A more advanced level, often seen among people who type a lot, is 60-80 WPM.
• Exceptional typists can go well above that, especially in specific tasks. But for most people, aiming for 70-80 WPM is already a significant jump.

Where to Practice Typing

You don't need fancy courses to get started—just good tools and consistency.

• Free browser-based typing sites that provide lessons, speed tests, games, and accuracy feedback.
• Typing-tutorial applications that help with finger positioning, home row technique, etc.
• Tools that measure both speed and accuracy so you know when you're trading one at the expense of the other.

How Much Should You Practice?

Consistency matters more than duration.

• 20 minutes per day is a sweet spot. Enough time to build skill, not so much that it's overwhelming.
• Even shorter bursts are useful early on—5-10 minute drills focusing on troublesome keys or speed-accuracy trade-offs.
• After practising, make a point of using your improved typing in real work: compose small emails using your new technique, make notes, write drafts etc. That helps cement the skills into everyday use.

Can Dictation Replace Typing?

Dictation can be powerful, especially in certain contexts, but it has trade-offs:

• Speaking is much faster than typing—for many, speaking goes at ~150 words per minute—but dictation tools are slower and less reliable. Errors need correction; layout (paragraphs, commas, full stops) must be spoken explicitly.
• Dictation works well for those who find typing difficult (e.g. due to mobility issues), or as a complementary tool.
• A good microphone, clear speech, and quiet environment help accuracy greatly.

Tips to Maximise Your Typing Practice

Here are practical tips to make your daily 20 minutes really count:

• Begin with posture and finger position: home-row technique (fingers returning to their base positions).
• Use drills that target weak letters or frequent errors.
• Don't worry about speed at first: focus on accuracy; speed tends to follow.
• Track your WPM and accuracy over time to see improvement. Having measurable feedback keeps motivation high.
• Mix up your practice: one day drills, another day typing real content (email, notes, drafts) using your improved technique.

Why This Matters for Employers Too

If you run a team or business:

• Typing is a baseline skill almost everyone uses—improving it lifts everyone's efficiency.
• Encouraging or providing time for typing training can yield large gains in overall output.
• Consider setting a benchmark or providing tools to help employees improve.

Growing your typing speed with just a little focused effort each day is one of the most accessible productivity levers there is. With consistent practice, today's 20-minute investment becomes a lifetime of smoother, faster work.