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34 Life Tricks That Work So Often They Feel Like Actual Cheat Codes
Article created by: Mantas Kačerauskas
Many of us are out here winging it, trying to balance work, relationships, health and money, while struggling to be the best versions of ourselves and keep our mental health intact. Let's not forget that never-ending to-do list of 'extra stuff' that seems to mock us every time we attempt to tackle it.
Thankfully, every now and again, someone stumbles upon a tip, trick, habit or hack that's so simple, yet effective, that it almost feels like they've discovered a secret cheat code. They're practical shortcuts, clever workarounds, mindset shifts or even basic one-liners that somehow help to make adulting noticeably easier, better or more efficient.
As they say, "Ask and you shall receive." And one netizen recently did just that - much to the delight of many of us who have merely been limping along in this thing called life. The person wanted to know, "What is the 'cheat code' you discovered in real life that actually works?" and more than a thousand souls came to the rescue.
Bored Panda has gathered the best answers for anyone needing to save time, money, avoid arguments, be a better human or just get a grip on the chaos. So keep scrolling, take notes and prepare to upgrade your operating system. Don't forget to upvote your favorites, and feel free to share your own personal 'cheat codes' in the comments section below.
We also included some expert tips on managing the stress that comes with adulting. And you'll find those between the images.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Treat everyone equally. Bin men, people on checkouts, the guy that mutters to himself at the bus stop, your doctor... everyone.
RELATED:
#3
Just ask.
Ask for what you need. Ask for what you want. Ask for directions. Ask for help. Ask the question.
Most people want to help you.
#5
People only dwell on their own embarrassment. You got to get it over embarrassing yourself and learn to laugh about it. I am not the center of the universe.
#9
Learn to say NO is the best cheat code.
It works everywhere, in personal life or professional life.
#11
Being kind, following up, and showing up on time—people seriously underestimate how far that combo gets you.
#14
If you are on a road trip and need to use the bathroom look for a name brand hotel (not motel). They will always have bathroom off of the lobby and hotel see this as a first customer impression and they will always be cleaner and safer than some truck stop.
Definitely more important for women (most men will be fine peeing on a garbage can behind a crack house).
#15
Committing to only saying the truth. It is hard at first but with time you actually stop getting yourself into situations which would make you have to lie. Life becomes much simpler and easier.
#16
I go through this checklist a lot:
"Does this need be said?"
"Does this need to be said, BY ME?"
"Does this need to be said BY ME, RIGHT NOW?"
I've kept myself out of a lot really pointless, stressful, irritating arguments/discussions/conversations by just keeping this in my mind.
#19
I don't know exactly how to put it so that it will click with everyone else who is reading. Because i don't exactly know why it eventually clicked for me when it did:
But one day i eventually just sort of "realized" that there is nothing actually stopping me from obtaining any of the skills i always wished i had.
I grew up fairly poor, so college was never a real option for me. (In America). Once i hit adulthood, in my mid 20s, i started feeling like there were all these things in life i "wish" i could do. I wished i could play an instrument. I wished i had proper education for game design and programming. I wished i knew more about relevant historical information so i could form better political positions and arguments. And so on and so on.
And for some reason, all those things just kind of remained as wishes. I always just kind of thought "well, im poor, can't afford college, i guess i just don't really get to have those things."
And then one day, in my mid 30s, i was watching some Youtube videos of someone playing piano. The instrument i always wished i had the chance to learn when i was younger. I remember thinking how much i envy these piano players. And how special they felt to me. And then it hit me, for some reason: What makes them special? And for some weird reason, i changed in that moment. I suddenly for some reason realized... they aren't special. They never were special. They just "did" things and got better at it. And then i realized, all i need to do is just... start doing things, and it will be the same for me. There is literally nothing that those piano players have that i do not have.
And so, i bought myself a piano and began teaching myself. There are unlimited amounts of online resources to learn anything you want in today's world. And even though when i first sat down with the instrument, i couldn't do ANYTHING with it, within only a few days, i was able to see my progress begin right in front of my eyes.
After that, i taught myself programming, i taught myself game design. I started "actually" reading about relevant history and scientific data.
It probably sounds silly to some people, people who may have figured all this out when they were young, or had parents who instilled it into them. But even though i was told again and again as a child "you can do anything you want" it never really clicked for me until my 30s. There is literally nothing stopping you from starting to learn/do whatever it is you always wished you could do, except you. And the people who are already doing the things you wished you could be doing are not special. If someone else can learn x, you can learn x. It's as simple as that.
My second cheat code i could suggest is for people to start reading and implementing some Stoicism into their life. Even if only a little, i think the general idea goes a long way in helping people reduce stress and become much more emotionally stable which will increase your productivity and contentedness in life immeasurably. Stoicism and Meditation (together) will absolutely eliminate stress and unhappiness if you properly accept it into your life. Learn to accept circumstances for what they are instead of being upset that things aren't different. Learn to let go of materialism and focus on your inner self instead and you will learn that all those things that upset you, make you unhappy, or stressed out, don't actually matter that much at all, in the grand scheme of things. It's not a spiritual thing, its a psychological thing. Meditation is not magic voodoo, it is simply learning to control your thoughts instead of letting them control you. And Stoicism is learning to control your emotions instead of letting them control you, by putting yourself and the universe in proper perspective at all times.
Jen M 7 months ago
With the advent of the internet, this is true for nearly all topics, available to all people. Only a select set of info (highly top secret data) is unavailable to all. Only a select set of people (countries sadly locked down to internet access like N. Korea) don't have full access to everything online. When I was growing up, this hack was not yet true. I was lucky and was given piano lessons, and I was able to go to college. I could now freely take every course i did in all those years, online. All it takes is time and access to a computer online. Yes, some people do not have endless online hours available (homeless people) but still can access online data during library hours, if they seek it out. This hack is so relevant now. Everything's out there for everyone to learn if you want. As a note, for anyone learning piano (or any instrument), i highly suggest learning to physically play, learning to read sheet music, AND studying corresponding music theory workbooks. :)
#20
You don't need to have an opinion on everything .
#23
Under promise, over deliver.
If you set expectations low, achieving a moderate standard looks like high achievement.
Perspective is all about perception, which you can manage.
#24
When someone is super cranky unreasonably, give them some food. Whether its your boss, your wife, your baby, your friend, it always works.
#25
Ask questions. People generally love to talk about themselves. Ask questions and be curious and everyone will want to be your friend.
#26
In school, if you volunteer to answer questions, you’ll never be first on the pecking order to be called out randomly.
#27
When you are a grown up you can just go buy candy if you want to. Stores literally have it. Cake too. There doesn’t have to be a celebration to buy cake. Want cake on a random Tuesday in May? Sure!
Jen M 7 months ago (edited)
One of my fave Bob's Burgers quotes is when the kids say "money is just candy that hasn't been born yet." As a kid, when allowance was handed out on Fridays in my house, the very 1st thing we did was hike up the hill to "The Little Store," our close corner market that wasn't as far away or as large as the big Store (our local QFC), and buy a candy bar. Like clockwork. Receive allowance, hike the hill, eat candy. That Store was so cool. The owners let kids run a tab for parents to pay later as well. How awesome is that?!?! So much trust and care for community kids in that one gesture. They were beloved in our neighborhood! And they knew ALL the kids and ALL the parents of course! Its still open to this day for that reason. :)
#28
Set yourself up for the morning. The night before leave out the dishes you need for breakfast, pick your clothes, pack your bags. It works wonders.
#30
Travel websites with "Budget Hotel" deals, like Hotwire's Hot Rate Hotels, don't have to be random or a "surprise". Cross-reference the number of reviews with the other hotels on the list. If their 3-star deal has 1226 reviews, and you see that there's a Comfort Inn with the same 1226 reviews, that hotel is currently the "Hot Rate".
IF YOU RELY ON HOTELS FOR WORK, OR LIVING:
HOT RATE DEALS HAVE THE SAME ROTATION EACH WEEK.
I put that in all caps because that's why and how I learned this. I was homeless, severely underemployed, and sleeping out of my car. I could afford a hotel room for a night or two each week, which was my opportunity to do laundry, shower, and get a real, good night's sleep. I didn't always book at the same time, because I didn't know. One day, I decided I needed some stability in my life, so I started doing things on a schedule, including booking my room each week. I eventually noticed that my pattern synced with their pattern, and I was getting to stay at the same hotel. Eventually, as I began to make more money (I went from working in one kitchen to two, and later front and back of the house at one establishment), I could afford a room for a whole week at a time, as long as I ate ramen and my shift meals. It was so nice to just be able to walk down to the office once a week and sign a new registration card, get my key remagnetized, and go back to my room. It changed my life and helped me to get back on my feet that much more easily and peacefully.
Everyone deserves stability, and everyone should be able to afford a roof over their head. I hope this helps, even if it's just for a better weekend away with your s/o, but for anyone who is homeless or at risk, I hope this helps you find peace and get back on your feet!
#31
If you’re ever feeling lonely, see if you can pass gas. Whenever I think there’s nobody around and I let one go, someone ALWAYS comes around.
#32
If you want to accomplish something, visualize it in detail first.
It sounds silly, but it really is one of the biggest keys to success at anything.
#33
You ever fill up at a gas pump that plays video advertisements, with sound?
The mute button is the selection button that is second from the top, on the right side.
#34
Being nice to people that you work with.
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