When I start any non-trivial development task, I try to keep in mind that I want three things:

• The work product itself, usually new code.
• Some reusable code.
• An improved developer (that's me).

About the third: I try to shape the task so that there's room for me to learn and grow. That's usually easy.

But here's my standby: pick up one or two new keyboard shortcuts.

It's simple to identify the candidates. I just take note of something I'm doing with the mouse repeatedly (which I call mousing about). Then I look to see whether there's a shortcut for that. If so, I try to form the new habit of using the shortcut instead of the mouse.

Your shortcuts: Any faves to share?