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People Are Sharing “Cheat Codes” They’ve Found That Work In Real Life, Here Are 33 Of The Most Useful Ones
Article created by: Indrė Lukošiūtė
No one likes to waste unnecessary amounts of time and energy on things that can be done with a few quick shortcuts. Or find themselves in challenging scenarios and have no idea how to crack the code. Or do things the hard way when... You get it — "work smarter, not harder" is the way to go.
We naturally pick up small pieces of wisdom that allow us to overcome unexpected obstacles and complete demanding missions, but as you’ve definitely noticed, the game of life is often quite difficult. Sometimes, our brains struggle to unlock the secrets and find the little commands and hacks that would help us to move on to the next level. But thankfully, Redditors bacongobbler and Lurial decided to do us all a public service by sharing some very useful "cheat codes" with anyone who strives to make their days a bit easier.
So if you want to finally nail down this game we call life, we've got you covered! Below, our team at Bored Panda has wrapped up some of the best insights from these two threads to share with you all. But as the Redditors warn, remember to put your thinking caps on and do your own research before trying these moves in real life. So continue scrolling, upvote the hacks you didn't know about, and be sure to share your own bits of advice in the comments!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Secretaries, tech support and janitors are the true power in office buildings. Make friends, remember birthdays and you can get anything you need or go anywhere you need.
RELATED:
#2
When commenting on something, whether it be reddit, facebook, etc. finish typing your comment, stop, re-read it twice and then ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish with said comment before posting
#4
When you have forgotten someone's name, simply say : "I'm sorry, but what was your name one more time." They may act offended, but when they give you their first name you simply reply "No, I meant your last name." (more socially acceptable to forget).
Bingo. First and last names.
#7
When you're giving a presentation, bring a bottle of water up to the podium. If you find yourself in a spot where you blank, taking a drink will allow you to gather your thoughts. Nobody will be the wiser.
#8
When you buy something online, you usually get a chance to enter a promo code before you purchase.
Google the promo codes.
They're out there - you can get anything from free shipping to 25% off the purchase.
#9
If you have crushing chest pain, call 911 first. Then chew some aspirin. I work in cardiology.
#10
if you gently rock back and forth while pooping it will take significantly less time and make it easier to pass more "troublesome" movements. Best. Lifehack. Ever
#11
For essays with minimum page requirements: If you finish your paper and realize that what you wrote is a shy of the minimum requirement, ctrl F your paper and search for ".". Change the font size of the periods from 12 to 14. They are the exact same size, but it causes the paper to be significantly longer (my 5 page original essay was stretched out to roughly 7 pages).
#12
When I am in a large shopping centre (mall) I take a photo of the information board on my phone so I can look up how to get to stores without having to go back to the board
#13
Easy splinter removal: dip the splintered body part in some Elmer's glue, let it dry, remove glue with splinter.
Easy lawn care: Pour "beer" (Bud Light, Coors, etc) on the lawn. Fermented sugars make great fertilizer.
Easy broken glass clean up: Get the tiny pieces up with a piece of bread, the consistency and texture picks up even the smallest shard.
#15
Never bring anything in to work. That way, when you leave (ie, earlier than usual) it doesn't look like you're leaving for the day.
#16
I've got one. If you feel uncomfortable looking into someone's eyes when they're talking to you, look at their nose instead. They cannot tell the difference.
#17
When you eat hard shell taco's, do it over your nachos. That way when they disintegrate, you can eat the bits you lost with your nachos
#18
Avoid forgetting something in the morning by placing it in your shoes. (works best if you wear the same pair every day.)
#19
Try to use your non-dominant hand for more things, try to maintain an equal balance in your body. If you have paper and a writing utensil in front of you, try scribbling circles with your non-dominant hand. Stir things with it, open doors with it. Use your dominant hand for things that you'd usually use your non-dominant for. Be conscious of how your body moves. Pick up your feet when you walk, pay attention to your posture, try not to lean to one side if you're standing for a long period of time. *Stretch.* Stretching is important in maintaining strength, balance and coordination. Try doing routine things in different ways, it'll help your body with the aging process and keep you in better shape. If you want to develop certain traits as a person, live your life as if you've always been that way/had said traits. Eventually after a bit it will become so second nature that you won't even have to think about it. Don't pretend to know something if you don't. You look ignorant if you're called out on it, and you force yourself to lose the opportunity to learn something new. If you're mocked for not knowing something and needing to ask, you're around the wrong people. **tl;dr** Be conscious of how your body moves; try to stay balanced. Sometimes pretending to have certain traits will actually help you develop them. Be open to learning new things.
#20
On flights, if you are fighting for an arm rest with a stranger. bring your arm (the one thats on the same side the arm rest you want) up to your mouth and sneeze/cough. Then place it by the armrest. The other person will move their arm. Has had 100% success rate
#21
Learn to cook. You will save money, eat better and feel better. If you are terrible at cooking, there is only one way to get better...cook. Think of cooking not as a chore, but as something that is fun and that brings joy to other people and to yourself. If you live alone, invest in some nice pyrex containers, put a few portions in the freezer, a few in the fridge.
#22
If you get brain freeze from eating something cold too quickly, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth as hard as you can. Voila, instant brainfreeze relief.
#23
If you're at home/work/party or GOD forbid your girlfriend's house and the toilet starts to overflow, take the lid off the back reservoir part and lift the long handle as far up as it will go. The water will stop rising and then you can quietly mutter curses at it till it goes back down (which it does, more often than not...)
#24
Always walk like you know where you are and what you're doing. Most people will just let you go on through/by/away. Works on most rent-a-cops and campus police.
#25
Give yourself half an hour of downtime in the morning, between being ready to leave and leaving, and your day won't feel so rushed
#26
To get through tech support quickly with an ISP, choose the option for becoming a new customer. Then when you get there ask to transfer to tech support. Usually they won't put you on hold because they see the number coming from the new customer line.
#27
If you are quitting something e.g. smoking, drinking etc. Everytime you feel the urge to do said addiction : Go for a run, do 20 sit ups, 20 push ups etc. This way you can start to associate exercise with quitting and you get fitter the more you quit which can make you feel better
#28
If you are driving an unfamiliar car and you don't know which side the gas tank is on, just look at the little pump icon next to the gas gauge on the dashboard. The pump handle on the icon will be on the side of the tank
#29
When you go to a restaurant where they bring you your drink in a cup/glass, ask for no ice or for ice on the side. Often what they do is load your drink with ice so that it seems as if there's more in there, especially at bars
#30
Try to put yourself in as many socially awkward situations as possible. You will be desensitized to it which makes you more outgoing.
#31
If you spill any liquid that will stain on your carpet (red wine, juice, etc), pour some salt on it. Work it into the carpet - just rub it in with your hands. Leave it there for a few hours (for serious stains, up to a day) and vacuum it out. Voila, stain gone.
#32
When you're talking to someone and can't tell if they are interested in the subject/their mind is elsewhere, cross your arms. If they cross theirs as well, they are truly listening
#33
Talk to everyone like you would your best mate, and smile.
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