You don’t need to make dramatic changes all at once. You can gradually change your habits and work environment until you reach a state of pain-free computing. One in three people who use a computer regularly experience some pain while using it. You can help reduce that statistic. Be pro-active.

The rest of this book describes the types of changes you can make in order to become a computer athlete. You can learn from the experience of others and avoid making the same mistakes. You can read the chapters out of order, since they are independent of each other. The five areas of mastery (Equipment and Usage, Nutrition, Self-Care & Self-Awareness, Strength and Conditioning, and Stress Management) are meant to be worked on simultaneously. Try to make some changes in each of these areas on a weekly or monthly basis until you find that your computing is pain-free. You may need assistance in making these changes—so ask for help and use your resources. You can search and connect with people on the internet, research ergonomic products, or work together with someone with similar goals. Keep in mind that the hard work is on the front end. Once you establish good habits, it is relatively easy to maintain them. That work will pay dividends over time, especially if you spend a large portion of your life working at the computer.

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