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The term "life hack" has become sort of a gimmick. The tricks, skills, and shortcuts that were once shared to help people better their everyday life have been recycled so many times, they have mutated into unrecognizable monstrosities that are useful for the sole reason of milking clicks.
However, when a few Redditors (most notably, Casrok, hey_im_cool, and unripe_banana) wanted to find out if any of these tips were still applicable and asked people to share the ones they thought are worthwhile, quite a few users stepped up and provided legit advice they've tested out and were happy with. Here they are!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Setting a 45-60 minute timer, getting rid of any and all distractions, and just doing as much as I can on a task in that period of time. It has kept me on top of assigned readings/schoolwork that tends to pile up, cleaning, and working out. The best part is typically once the timer is up I just keep going cause hell, I've already started!
10/10 would recommend for any procrastinator
#2
I work at a bougie coffee shop. Instead of saying "thanks for waiting" or even "sorry for the wait" I always say "thank you for your patience."
People respond to it better because you are thanking them which means they did something right and saying they have a good quality like patience. If you say "sorry for the wait" you're apologizing which means you did something wrong and waiting is something people don't like doing so they respond more negatively and annoyed.
I deal with a lot of rich and entitled people so it's important to make them feel better about themselves and I make some pretty good tip money for it so I'm cool with it.
#3
When I want something and I don't know what it is, it's water. It's always water.
Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
“Usually when you’re hungry, you’re just thirsty” Don’t remember who, but it’s true.
#4
Filling in the 'to' field of an email last. After I've written the body of the email and checked everything. Amazing how many stupid errors I HAVEN'T sent to people since I started doing this. So simple, so satisfying.
#5
I make lists all year long about gift ideas for the people in my life.
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
I try to buy gifts all through the year. Better prices and you don't have to rush around in December.
#6
Saying something out loud so I remember it. Such as "I have locked the back door". Really helps you remember you did it.
#7
For the ladies: if your mascara is drying up, put a few drops of saline solution in the tube. It'll last a lot longer.
Sugar cures a burnt tongue.
For mosquito bites: run a spoon under hot water for about 30 seconds, then press the spoon to the bite. No more itching.
Pour pancake mix into an old ketchup bottle for no-mess pancakes.
If you frequent a zoo, notice the color the employees wear and match it next time you go. The animals will come right up to you.
Paul Davis 3 years ago (edited)
I gotta admit the tip about wearing same colors as the keepers at the zoo is pretty cool...except for encountering the occasional Karen who thinks you work there, doesn't understand boundaries or job roles, and doesn't listen.
#8
Don't put it down, put it away.
Has thoroughly changed me around the house I must say.
#9
Nonzero days, for battling depression and feelings of worthlessness.
So many days, I feel like I did nothing. Entirely useless. I didn't do the laundry, I didn't wash the dishes, I didn't clean up the living room. What kind of person doesn't do the most basic of household tasks?
The principle of nonzero days brought some perspective to my situation. I don't have to clean the entire apartment to prove my worth or to make progress. I can take a deep breath and spend about 10 minutes walking around gathering dishes. My day is now a nonzero day, because that 10 minutes brought me closer to one of my goals (cleaning the apartment).
My favorite thing about it is that every single work day is automatically a nonzero day. I have earned my pay for the day, I have done my best to carry my weight on the team, sometimes I even work two 8-hour shifts, two or less hours apart.
#10
My son and I ride our bikes to fireworks displays, sports events, outdoor movies and park events. When the events are over, we ride past massive traffic jams and get home in ten minutes while everyone else is stuck in traffic for an hour. If the event is far away from home, load up our bikes and we drive to a location a few miles from the event and ride in, then ride back out. We make sure to be extremely careful. We don't trust anybody. We feel like geniuses when we do this.
#11
I throw some toilet paper before I go number two. Never been kissed by Poseidon since started doing that
Celeste Grant 3 years ago
It also acts as a muffler, so if you're in a public bathroom others don't hear you as much
#12
I cancelled my Audible sub and signed up for a library card and now listen to free audiobooks daily through the Libby app
#13
Drinking a glass of water right as you wake up. Feels like my whole body gets hydrated, gives me energy, it amazing.
Also focusing on breathing. So I used to have a lot of chest pains, doctor wanted to send me to a cardiologist. I just stopped for a minute thought about the situation and began doing controlled breathing exercises. Haven't had chest pains since. Having trouble falling asleep? Breath. Stressed? Breath. The human body is really amazing.
Poultry Geist 3 years ago
This can’t be stressed enough! We’re all over here taking little half breathes wondering why we don’t feel good!
#14
Ask questions. Don’t criticize or patronize a person instantly.
Ask for clarification when something is not clear.
Provide options in your questions.
Sometimes an argument is not about winning. It’s telling about how you feel and if the other person respects you or not.
#15
I feed my cat on a dish instead of a bowl now, she's eating much better, turns out she had sensitive whiskers.
Son of Philosoraptor 3 years ago
Same thing here, but only for wet food. My cats hate eating wet food from bowls but happily scarf down the dry in a bowl no problem.
#16
I keep a bowl of lemons out in my kitchen.
People really think I have my shit together.
#17
Clean out your car when you stop to get gas. You can just grab a couple things out easily and there are always garbage cans there. It's kept my car clean for the past year.
#18
Fry left over pizza in a pan with a lid on it,crust down! The crust goes amazingly crisp, the toppings heat up and you don't have soggy disappointment. It is arguably better than fresh pizza in my opinion.
#19
Freezing a quarter full water bottle horizontally and pouring water in to it, to get cold water whenever I need.
#20
the quickest way to cool the inside of your car down is to open one door, then go to the opposite side and open and close it a few times. this forces the hot air out and draws the cooler air in. I have a black car with black interior, and a few weeks ago when the high was 94 and it had been sitting in the sun for 6-7 hours i tried this before getting in, and holy hell it worked better than i could have ever imagined. i had heard about this before but never tried it.
#22
Not daily per se, but a few weeks ago I read a comment saying we should be putting a HUGE amount of salt in our pasta water, way more than we think, and my pasta has been much better ever since. Thank you, anonymous pasta-salter!
#24
Wash dishes/pots/pans as you finish with them and never go to bed leaving anything in the sink that is dirty. Helps keep the kitchen so clean.
#25
If someone walks in the opposite direction as you (walking towards you) you can start walking slower and they'll move out of your way. I don't know why but it works.
Claire Stanfield 3 years ago
You do not have to change your speed at all, just look at where you are going instead of the people/stuff around you. Look like you're on a mission and people will evade you.
#26
I saw this video on Facebook where they had saved vegetable peelings and ends that are edible but not appetizing. You take the bits and toss them in a pit of water with seasonings and make veggie stock. I do this all the time now and I always have the best veggie stock.
#27
Well my brother told me this but he found this on reddit. Have 6 seconds of courage and you can get many great things in life
Deborah B 3 years ago
It's if you are scared to do something. It's easier if you tell yourself you just have to have courage for 6 seconds. That's time to get up, or to make eye contact, or ask someone if they'd like to grab a drink after work. It's enough time to say "Hey boss, I need a 20% raise - we both know I'm worth it." or "Boss, I resign."
#28
If you want to have a seat on the bus/train to yourself, when the doors open and the new people get on just smile at the door and pat the seat next to you almost inviting them to sit there.
No one ever does.
#29
I read a thread about how to fall asleep in 5 minutes. The trick was to blink until your eyes get so tired that you can't blink anymore. Can confirm that it works beautifully.
#30
Someone here told me to put salt in my coffee and it really does kick it up a notch
What do you think ?
LOttawa 3 years ago
When I have things to do, I make a list and scratch them off as I go along, its motivating to see the list of things to do go going down and the list of things done increase. I also separate the things to do even though most would consider them one thing (dishes for example: empty dishwasher is one thing, fill dishwasher is a second item), so even though I did one task, I get to get rid of 2 in 1 shot.
LuckyL 3 years ago
1. make a liste - 2. cross out point one - 3. be happy that you've already done two points. 4. take a nap - ...in progress...
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Craig Silberman 3 years ago
THESE AREN'T "HACKS!" These are tips and helpful advice. A hack is when you use something for a purpose it wasn't designed for, or in a way that wasn't intended.
Mike Beck 3 years ago
I blame social media for ruining the definition of "hack" in the first place. One can hardly complain when they screw it up even more.
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LOttawa 3 years ago
When I have things to do, I make a list and scratch them off as I go along, its motivating to see the list of things to do go going down and the list of things done increase. I also separate the things to do even though most would consider them one thing (dishes for example: empty dishwasher is one thing, fill dishwasher is a second item), so even though I did one task, I get to get rid of 2 in 1 shot.
LuckyL 3 years ago
1. make a liste - 2. cross out point one - 3. be happy that you've already done two points. 4. take a nap - ...in progress...
Load More Replies... Craig Silberman 3 years ago
THESE AREN'T "HACKS!" These are tips and helpful advice. A hack is when you use something for a purpose it wasn't designed for, or in a way that wasn't intended.
Mike Beck 3 years ago
I blame social media for ruining the definition of "hack" in the first place. One can hardly complain when they screw it up even more.
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