IMHO: During takeoff and landing, keep your eyes focused on the far end of the runway and learn the visual height cues provided by your peripheral vision. Looking at the far end of the runway will give you the best indication of any drift or misalignment. In time, you react to that picture without thinking.Try to become familiar with where all your actions are required without looking down. Do not look down, the view will not be the same when you look back up. With longer fuselage aircraft like the 185, you cannot let them get out of line, as they are pretty much unrecoverable once they get past a certain point and that point is very early.
make sure your seating position allows you to input full rudder without accidentally applying brakes. This can be an issue in 180/185’s if you insist on winding your seat up so you can see over the dash.
in aircraft with toe brakes, don’t put your whole foot up on the pedals, only the balls. You should able to operate brakes more progressively with your toes. Suitable soft shoes until you get comfortable with the whole process.
cheers,
185skywagon.