LIGHTNING-FAST FEATHER

If you're using the Lasso tool and want to add a feather to soften the edges of the selection, there's no faster way than this: Hit the Return key (PC: Enter key) and the Feather field in the Options Bar will highlight. Then all you have to do is enter the value for how much feathering you want (just remember to set the feathering back to zero when you're done, using the same shortcut).