[CoffeeDregs]

I have probably tried 3 times to ditch the arrows and use hjkl and I've failed each time. What is the trick to overcoming this? Perhaps it's that I've done it while at work that has caused the issue (ie. I need to be productive now!). Pick a weekend and force the switch?

[nate00]

I was also unable to switch until I forced myself to go cold turkey. Putting this into your vimrc will disable the arrow keys

  noremap <up> <nop>
  noremap <down> <nop>
  noremap <left> <nop>
  noremap <right> <nop>
  inoremap <up> <nop>
  inoremap <down> <nop>
  inoremap <left> <nop>
  inoremap <right> <nop>

It's extremely painful for the first day or two, but it's worth it. (Starting on a weekend might be a good idea.)

[z92]

First ditch up/down arrow keys and use jk instead.

After a few days when you are confortable with it. Start using hl for side arrows.

I did it like that.

[papaver]

i think work is the best place to do it. just stick with it knowing that it may take a few days to get back to your original pace. don't allow your self to use the arrow keys and you will pick them up much faster. just remind yourself that you will be able to make up all the lost time because you will easily be twice as fast once you stop picking your hands up from the home row.

i went through the same pains. the worst was copy and paste. what a pain! but in a week or two it will become mostly natural.

[jfabre]

www.vim-adventures.com :)

[nnnnni]

Or play nethack!

[CoffeeDregs]

Dude, that's a fantastic suggestion!

[CoffeeDregs]

Wow. That's a great suggestion, too. I've played for about 42 seconds and already feel more comfortable...

[Kluny]

what z92 said, and don't forget you can use w to jump forward by words, which makes side to side movement a little easier.