The 5 best editing habits I developed – not from a tutorial, but from a painfully slow computer. And I still use them every day.

Let’s face it – editing videos on a slow PC is brutal. My old computer was technically a computer, but using it felt more like trying to edit a film on a toaster. It overheated, it lagged, and it crashed more times than I can count.

But here’s the surprising part, those frustrating moments taught me editing habits I still use today. Even now, with a powerful workstation, these habits save me time, reduce stress, and make my workflow much smoother.

So if you’re stuck with a slow setup, don’t worry. That “pain” might just turn you into a better editor.

1. Pre-Planning Every Cut

Most beginner editors throw everything into the timeline, scroll around, try ten different cuts, and hope something sticks.

I used to do that too, until one day, my computer crashed in the middle of an edit, and I lost hours of work.

That’s when I changed my approach.

Instead of diving into the timeline, I began by watching all my footage first. I made notes on which clips to use, exact in and out points, and the sequence they should appear in.

This habit made me more thoughtful. I started thinking like a director before becoming an editor. And even today, with a faster computer, I still plan every cut before touching the timeline. It saves both time and energy.

2. Using Proxy Files

If you’ve ever edited high-resolution footage on a slow computer, you know the pain – freezing timelines, laggy playback, and endless rendering.

The solution? Proxies.

Proxies are low-resolution copies of your footage that make editing smoother. Once you’re done, you switch back to full resolution for export.

At first, I avoided proxies because I thought the process was too technical. But it turns out, it’s super simple. In Adobe Premiere Pro, just right-click your footage and choose “Create Proxies”. Premiere handles the rest.

This one trick changed everything for me. And even though I now edit on a fast machine, I still use proxies for complex projects. It just makes the entire experience faster and more enjoyable.

3. Mastering Keyboard Shortcuts

Back then, using a mouse to click around Premiere Pro was a nightmare. Every action caused lag. Even basic tasks like cutting a clip took way longer than they should’ve.

Out of sheer frustration, I decided to memorize keyboard shortcuts, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

With just a few keys, I could cut, move, and organize clips without ever touching the mouse. My hands started working on autopilot. Editing felt fluid, like playing an instrument where you know exactly where your fingers need to go.

Even now, I rely heavily on shortcuts. It’s not just about saving time, it’s about staying in the creative flow.

4. Regularly Cleaning The Media Cache

At one point, Premiere Pro completely stopped working for me. Projects wouldn’t open. Everything slowed to a crawl. I thought my files were corrupted or my hard drive was failing.

But the real culprit? The Media Cache.

Premiere builds up temporary files as you edit. Previews, conform files, and more. Over time, these files pile up and can seriously drag down your system’s performance.

Once I discovered this, I made it a habit to regularly clear my media cache. And I’ve stuck with it ever since.

Even the most powerful machine can get sluggish if it’s weighed down by clutter. Cleaning the cache is a simple habit that keeps your editing environment smooth and responsive.

5. Stop Aiming For Perfection – Just Finish The Cut

When I started editing, I obsessed over perfection.

I would tweak every cut by milliseconds, balance audio that didn’t need balancing, and spend hours on transitions before even finishing the rough cut.

And every time, my slow PC punished me with crashes and lag. Eventually, I had to change my mindset. I set a new rule for myself:

Just finish the edit first.

Rough it out. Tell the story. Don’t worry about the polish until the structure is done.

This shift not only saved my sanity, but also made me a better storyteller. Because honestly? Most people watching your video don’t notice the minor details we obsess over.

Done is better than perfect, especially on a laggy machine.

Final Thoughts: Embrace The Struggle

None of these habits came from watching tutorials. They were born out of necessity. They came from trials, errors, frustration, and a whole lot of waiting for my computer to unfreeze.

But these struggles shaped the editor I am today. They made me more efficient, more thoughtful, and more disciplined.

If your computer is slow, maybe that’s not a curse. Maybe it’s a training ground. One that’s quietly preparing you to become faster, sharper, and more focused.

So don’t give up. The struggle might just be your best teacher.

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