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30 Life Hacks That Feel Like They’re Unlocking Secret Levels IRL
Interview With Expert
One of the biggest advantages that people living in the digital age have is access to the collective wisdom and intelligence from all of human history. Working hard and being disciplined have intrinsic value, but working smart can help you grow where and when you need to incredibly rapidly. So, it’s no wonder that people place such high value on shortcuts, good tips, and life hacks.
Today, we’re featuring some of the practical advice that internet users shared in two viral online threads that are so useful that they’re practically real-life cheat codes. They’re bound to help you level up your life and upgrade your social, financial, health, career, and any other stats you care about. Check out the best tips below!
Bored Panda wanted to learn how we can all make our positive relationships a true priority in life, as well as how to stop procrastinating by consuming endless self-help content. So, we asked Jodi Wellman, MAPP, for help. You'll find our full interview with the founder of Four Thousand Mondays and the author of You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets as you read on.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Cheat codes? 99/100 times, being polite and kind will get you much further in life. It seldom pays to be a d**k. In general, default to kind.
Disgruntled Panda 10 months ago
Once again, be polite and kind because you can, and because it's a nice thing to do. Not because it pays. ❤️
An 85-year Harvard study determined that the positive relationships you cultivate in your life have a huge impact on your longevity, health, and happiness. They make you more resilient to stress. However, you have to be intentional about investing in these relationships while also steering clear of people who make you feel awful.
“Relationships affect us physically. [...] To make sure your relationships are healthy and balanced, it’s important to practice ‘social fitness.’ We tend to think that once we establish friendships and intimate relationships, they will take care of themselves. But our social life is a living system, and it needs exercise,” CNBC writes.
In other words, you need to be intentional with your relationships. Be honest with yourself about the people in your life, how much time you’re spending with them, how they make you feel, and then adjust as needed so you thrive, not just survive. You might realize that there’s only a handful of real friends in your life and a bunch of acquaintances who drain you with their chronic negativity. Spend more time with the first group of people and less with the rest.
RELATED:
#3
A well-fitting suit can make the most average man attractive.
setsuriseikou 10 months ago
For some reason the woman in me doesn't find men in suits attractive. To me they may be impressive, trustworthy, smart-looking, a million other good things, but attractive? No, not really.
Wellman was kind enough to shed some light on the importance of positive relationships, and how we can all invest in our social fitness more like we'd ideally want to. "The empirical evidence pointing to the well-being-boosting benefits of positive relationships is almost overwhelming; it's a good nudge to prioritize social interactions, even when we're pulling our hair out with work and other life demands," she said.
"I like the FITT model when thinking about social fitness (or any other kind of fitness for that matter): what's the Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type of social interaction that would serve you best right now? How often would you like to socialize, how deep do you need/want to go when hanging out with friends, how long does each 'friend event' need to be, and what kinds of social activities suit you now?" she shared a few things that we all should consider.
"Maybe frequent get-togethers aren't possible with your current schedule, so you plan a really intense quality-filled lunch with a friend for an afternoon. Maybe you aren't able to spend a lot of time with friends because you have a screaming toddler at home, so you might text more frequently just to stay in touch, and maybe have a friend over while you're folding laundry," Wellman told Bored Panda via email.
#4
You can get away with any crime as long as you have enough money to pay off the authorities.
#5
Tell your wife or girlfriend to guess where you’re taking her for dinner. Then take her to the first place she says. Instant indecisiveness breaker.
Joe Reaves 10 months ago
Do NOT do this if her answer is along the lines of 'I swear if you're taking me to 'restaurant name' again....'
#6
Respect from your subordinates is infinitely more important than respect from your superiors, and respect from your subordinates is earned by protecting them from the disrespect of your superiors.
Learned this when I picked up E-5 in the Navy and was put in charge of a shop. We were doing workups, which is s****y and stressful for everyone. Some of my younger sailors were having a hard time adjusting, and our chain of command was making it worse on them. One of them was struggling with mental health, and I had to escort them to medical when he confided in me that he was contemplating suicide. I stepped in between that as a buffer, and took the s**t myself to make life easier for my sailors. My life sucked slightly more, but my sailors lives got better. At one point, my chain of command really didn’t like me, and were threatening to send me up to non judicial punishment, because I sacrificed a work day in favor of protecting a sailor from BS. When my sailors found out, they said they were all going to write a letter to the Captain about how great of a leader I was, and sign it. Beyond that, they were great workers. I never had to micromanage them, because they knew if I asked them to do something, there was a reason for it, and they didn’t want to screw me over by doing it wrong. It was so hard to leave that ship when they told me they were going to miss me, and I was the type of E-5 they all wanted to be.
Respecting my sailors and truly putting their well being above my own not only earned me the loyalty of them all, but it also ensured they all made it home to their families alive. I was passed over for a promotion to E-6, but it was worth it.
"One of the best ways to fit friendship into a well-rounded life is to combine social stuff with activities that you've already routinized or goals you'd like to aspire to. For example, if you want to get more fit, you could arrange a weekly walk/hike/yoga class with a friend. If you want to learn something new, you could register for a class/lessons with a buddy."
Bored Panda also wanted to better understand how someone can get out of the loop of consuming self-help content without taking any action. "Self-help is alluring because it feels deliciously productive to read about/learn about/take a retreat about bettering oneself. Deep down we know that's only part of the equation of living a life worth living though, right? We feel good about ourselves by planning and plotting a great life, and some of us know we're planning but not doing. We're dreaming but not doing," Wellman said.
"The first step is to notice your inclination to keep 'up-skilling' yourself without applying it. You must bust yourself! The next step is to practice self-compassion. It's okay to feel fear and trepidation about taking action on the life you've imagined for yourself. It's normal to conceive of a 'best self' and then stumble on the follow-through," she explained.
#7
People remember you for how you made them feel.
Michael Largey 10 months ago
That's what my students come back and talk to me about, not what I taught them.
#8
It's far easier to stay in shape than it is to get in shape, and being in decent shape pays dividends for your quality of life when you're older as it keeps you mobile and healthy longer generally. So build those exercise and healthy eating habits early in life, but it's never too late to start either.
#9
One I learned from a close friend recently. Whenever you find yourself in an awkward one-on-one social situation and you don’t know what to say, just start asking the other person questions about themselves. I’m not talking about “how are you?” or “how’s work going?”, but deeper questions like “what’s your favorite hobby?” or “have you ever traveled outside of the country?” This makes the other person happily take the burden of doing the talking and you get to learn something new from them. It’s a win-win situation 90% of the time and a great way to start genuine conversations and find common ground.
"The next step is to pick one small thing to take action on: not a big thing (which can daunt us), just a small thing. For example, if you've been reading about starting a business, but feel reluctant, what's the smallest step you could take today? Maybe you register online for an LLC. Done! If you find yourself registering for course after course and reading book after book, but you're not taking action, it can help to set a date on the horizon, like, 'I am allowed to gather more info and build my resources until April 17th. Then I am launching the business!'"
Wellman added that some people also benefit from setting a money and time budget for self-help. "You can allow yourself seven hours to read about meditating, for example, and then once the eighth hour hits, it's time to actually meditate."
#10
When I realized that I’m not in fact the center of the universe and service to others really does matter…my life got WAY better.
Geoffrey Scott 10 months ago
I am a simple man, Worked, during my work did side gigs cutting grass and clearing snow. Folks I do that for are grateful, and now that I'm retired, throw a task or 2 my way for extra cash. Also am custodian for the local library, taking over things they dreaded doing made me useful. Service to others makes you AND them feel good.
#11
Wrap your noodle.
#12
Life goes by fast. Do that thing that you want to do, do it now.
François Bouzigues 10 months ago
I would have made some bad financial decisions had I gone this way. If it is an inexpensive hobby though, sure go ahead.
Many people are constantly looking for the freshest and most cutting-edge shortcuts to be more efficient with their time and effort. And that makes sense from an evolutionary perspective because nobody wants to waste energy needlessly when there’s an easier way to get something done.
However, the best advice is usually deceptively simple but hard to implement. It’s one thing to be open-minded, learn new things, read new sources, and stay up to date with the news. But if all you ever do is collect smart tips without putting any of them into action, you’re essentially procrastinating. There has to be a balance between theory and practice, no matter if you’re thinking of being a better friend, taking better care of your body, or putting your finances into order.
The odds are that you’ve procrastinated by looking for ways to improve your life at some point—we all know we have! It’s very easy to get caught up in a loop of reading self-help books and watching YouTube videos about how to get your life on track. At some point, the advice (or at least the core principles) start getting repeated. The reality is that taking a piece of advice and putting it into action—no matter how imperfectly—is the best strategy.
#13
Admit when you are wrong, don’t know something, or have made a mistake. People will respect you for it (as long as you show you have learnt from it).
#14
Your biggest power in interpersonal relationships be it friendship, romantic or business lies in your ability and willingness to walk away….
Jeff White 10 months ago
Yes, but this is not cost free. I you walk away, clearly understand that you may never be invited again.
#15
Can't beat the main quest? Do the boring side quests. Next thing you know the main one is barely a challenge.
Unable to make the big life changes? Do the tedious small daily ones. Next thing you know the big ones are barely a chore.
You’ll never perfectly optimize your life or be in an environment that has zero distractions. The best thing you can do is to form healthy, positive habits, step by step, incrementally, while also moving away from bad habits. Be decisive, focused, and patient. Because no matter how brilliant you (think you) are, you’ll have setbacks and moments of doubt. In short, whatever you choose to do, just start. And try to maintain the momentum by making that new behavior a habit instead of waiting for motivation to strike (the latter is notoriously fickle!).
You have to consider what changes you can make right now that will have the biggest impact on your quality of life as a whole. For us, the research is more or less clear: you should prioritize your social fitness as well as your physical health.
In terms of getting (and staying!) healthy, you need to find ways to keep moving that you genuinely enjoy and listen to your body’s needs. For instance, you might love tennis or swimming but hate jogging or martial arts. If you find sports and ways to exercise that make you feel good, it’ll be easier to stay motivated in the long run. Meanwhile, if you feel like you’re only doing something because it’s trendy, you’re likely to drop the habit when its popularity wanes.
#16
Life is kind of long if you practice something for 5 years you get pretty good. Even if you only spend like 15-30 minutes a day. Consistency is key.
Also working out helps literally everything, health, confidence, sleep, energy, appearance, mental health, and it's basically free.
#17
Volunteering in an industry you want to work in will give you backdoor connections to job openings and let you skip some of the crappy entry-level roles.
iseefractals 10 months ago
This is also how internships are supposed to work. Yes, SOME companies have done sleezy things in so far as expecting actual graduates, or those with actual experience to take unpaid internships...but the whole notion of internships was to take high school/college age students, who have NO skills, and little to no proper training and expose them to the work environment in their industry of interest. So they can learn about what that work actually entails, gain practical experience and develop connections within that industry or specific place of business. In that specific context, internships (and yes volunteering) is intensely valuable. That's the currency you're being paid in, and it's the only reason you got in the door.
#18
Drop a piece of toilet paper (or 2) in the toilet bowl before pooping to prevent splashing on your family jewels.
The CDC recommends that adults aim to get at least 150 of moderate-intensity exercise every week. Regular exercise helps you sleep better, lowers your blood pressure, and reduces anxiety. When you move more, you’re also reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases, from heart disease and various cancers to type 2 diabetes.
Try to remember to take care of the basics. Drink plenty of water, get lots of sleep, spend time outdoors, walk just a bit more than you usually would, and eat nutritious food. Meanwhile, avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating ultra-processed, sugary, and salt-laden junk food.
#19
Humility is way better than pride ever will be. If you’re humble (not insecure), you’ll do way better in life than any prideful person ever will do.
Michael Largey 10 months ago
I had a pos boss who sincerely (I won't say honestly because he was never honest) tell us how humble he was. Well, he did have a lot to be humble about.
#20
Driving is significantly less stressful or dangerous if you aren't in a hurry. Stay in the right lane, throw on that cruise control, and relax. Let the cars go around you.
Jan Rosier 10 months ago
Over here speed limit on the highway is 120 kmph. I keep my speed between 95 - 110 on the right lane and let the others fly by. There is, however, also a minimum speed limit on highways of 70 kmph (regular trafic, not trafic jams off course) Now imagine me, driving 100 and coming up to someone going 75. I am not bothered by the slowness in itself, but it is outright dangerous.
#21
If you be young while you're young, you won't be an embarrassing middle aged person. In fact, if you be young properly, you'll even appreciate getting older where life slows down a bit.
Thats the closes thing to a cheat code I know of.
Which of these real-life cheat codes did you find the most helpful? Which ones are you raring to try out today, dear Pandas? What are the best pieces of advice that you’d give a total stranger to help them live a higher-quality life?
Meanwhile, what tips do you wish you’d gotten when you were younger? Tell us all about it in the comments!
#22
Money is a real life cheat code.
#23
In 2024 this is like a cheat code : IF you sleep more than 7 hours, every day, you will feel so much better, its incredible.
#24
I read somewhere years ago that that if you stare at peoples foreheads instead of direct eye contact you make them feel uncomfortable. So I have proven that in my life to be true. Especially in a situation where you don’t have the upper hand.
#25
Learning from others' mistakes is better than your own. The world is full of how people win and lose. Observe.
#27
Look at people doing worse than you and you'll always be grateful. Look at people doing better than you and you will never be satisfied with what you have. Sure you can use the latter as motivation but always be grateful for what you have.
Michael Largey 10 months ago
Or just try looking at yourself and ask "What do I want, and why do I want it?"
#28
If your straight up with an officer or sheriff your most likely getting that ticket knocked down a bit or getting a warning. I've had lucks and tickets.
Sue Denham 10 months ago
Or . . . if you want to avoid tickets altogether . . . drive legally and safely.
#29
If you need a question to be answered online, write it, then in another account answer yourself badly. People don't like answering questions, but like correcting others,
Applicable to Chile: Buy groceries on Santa Isablel only on Tuesdays, use the national ID number of an eder person to get 6% off in every product.
Marie Clear 10 months ago
I'd guess in Chile that's literally a "cheat" code, as in fraud. I'd think twice about applying this one.
#30
Go to Krispy Kreme a few minutes before closing, and they'll probably give you the donuts free.
Lee Gilliland 10 months ago
You'd be amazed what you can find in the day-old bin at a bakery. And florists dump perfectly good flowers after a few days. I've created bouquets from them.
When it comes to enhancing the quality of your life, it can be insightful to make time for activities that align with your personal values and relationships.
Although the power of positive relationships is deeply impactful, there's a certain charm in unique hobbies and passions that can spark joy and connection much like the quirky attraction to extraordinarily lengthy felines often does. Engaging in light-hearted pursuits that bring happiness not only aids in enriching your life but provides ample opportunities to bond and share laughs with friends.
#31
Do everything in moderation.
#33
Taking 10-15 mins in the morning to stretch and meditate (imagine your day going well while relaxing) will pay dividends over time.
#34
How To Win Friends and Influence People when actually properly applied is like a cheat code with dealing with people. It really made life so much easier.
#35
If you call customer service and you get a rep that is not helpful or has an attitude, hang up and call the company back. A lot of the time a different rep will pick up and you will get better service.
#37
Eating healthy is neither expensive nor difficult. Many of the healthiest vegetables and fruits are dirt cheap even now. Especially if you go to the Hispanic supermarkets. And you don't even have to cook them. Just get a magic bullet and mix em all up. You'll feel like a million bucks.
Phantom Phoenix 10 months ago
I'm in Queensland, Australia. Please direct me to the Hispanic supermarkets. Or pull your head out of your ärse and recognise that there's a "rest of the the world" outside of America
#38
Roth IRA and compound interest.
Hmmm hmmmm 10 months ago
But I'm not Irish , how can I join a paramilitary group for their independence d, and who is Roth /s
#39
Work in apartment maintenance or almost any position in apartments and you can pass the background check, income eligibility, and get a discounted rate to live in an apartment. My company offers 40% on-site living and 20% at other properties they own. I live in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in my city I'd never be able to afford it if it was not for this hack.
#40
You aren’t drinking enough water. If you feel tired or run down or foggy, you’re under hydrated.
#42
Not everyone will get this until they tried it once, **Music messes up your mind, especially sad ones** Try at least a week and see the huge difference in your mental health.
setsuriseikou 10 months ago
So do I listen to sad songs for a week or do I stop listening to them for a week?
#43
Ask someone for a favour.
The Ben Franklin effect is a psychological phenomenon in which people like someone more after doing a favor for them. An explanation for this is cognitive dissonance.
Little Bit 10 months ago
I don't know where I'm going wrong then. I'm always willing to do anybody a favour but the second I need one, no matter how small, everybody runs for the hills. The answer is often "no" before I've even finished asking the question. At least it helps me know where I stand with people.
#44
Paracetamol is more than just for headaches
high temp
fever
the list goes on
SO is a nurse and states paracetamol is a genius idea
buying expensive ones means buying branded, its still paracetamol.
Regina Holt 10 months ago
Paracetamol is what it is called in England, in the USA, it is acetaminophen.
#45
I'm gonna chime in with two book titles.
Why men lie and women cry
Why men don't listen and women can't read maps.
Those books helped me laugh about stuff I couldn't see and changed my life.
#46
A pretty nerdy one. But the website of my county library offers a three day free temporary subscription to all New York Times and Wall Street Journal articles that anyone in any part of the world can access though a link that you click on that generates a three day access code. You only have to create an online account with those newspapers.
Since I also wanted to read stories from the Post, I did some research and found links from other county libraries in other states that gave me a temporary subscription to the Post by clicking a link that I renew every three days.
Jill Rhodry 10 months ago
My local library has subscriptions to all the major newspapers in the world and they're free, forever, to anyone who is a member. But that's socialism isn't the US...
#47
/tgm it's not as useful in the day to day except when you find a bug that sends you to the backrooms.
I guess the only other one is . I learned to seek first to understand before I judge. Keeps me from getting mad at nothing, though people who point fingers and who have an agenda don't like it very much.
#48
In my country, if you offer cash in settlement of a debt and the other party refuses it because they want payment by card then the debt becomes null and void.
This applies to any good or service which is billed afterward.
e.g. eating at a restaurant, tradesman performing a repair.
François Bouzigues 10 months ago
In France, cash payment over 1500€ is quite simply and plainly illegal.
#49
Real life interactions when dating would save you time and possible heartbreak. Don't waste your time texting.
#50
The study technique Pommedoro!
#51
Follow the Golden Rule. Also, start investing your money as soon as possible. Your future self will thank you.
Michael Largey 10 months ago
"Do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Their tastes may differ." - George Bernard Shaw
#52
Wear a reflective vest, carry a ladder, and act like you belong and NO ONE will stop you.
#53
They rarely check if your movie ticket is adult or senior. If ask just say “oops”.
#54
Staying single.
#55
Real life cheat codes? finding the shortest line at the grocery store by looking for the cashier with the least items.
#56
You don’t have to use an iron to get wrinkles out of clothes, just let it tumble in the dryer for 25 minutes.
Regina Holt 10 months ago
I am not putting anything in the dryer that did not come right out of the washing machine.
#57
Compounding interest is a cheat code.
Start a HY savings, and putting money into an index fund. Set up auto deposits and in 20 years or in 5 due to an emergency you’ll be so glad you did. .
#59
Pinch the bottom of the banana and then peel it from the bottom. Use to try and do it from the top but that is so inefficient and can cause bruising. Now I can peel a banana no problem. .
#60
I can pop open a bottle cap with virtually anything, anywhere, at any time.
#61
R1, R2, L1,R2, up,left,down,right,up left,down, right,up. Your'e welcome. :).
#62
You don't pay tax on a pension. Straight after making a payment you'll get an additional 20% return. For every £100 you save you get an immediate £20 return. As long as you can ve patient that's fantastic.
Michael Largey 10 months ago
In my country, all retirement income is taxable, including pensions.
#63
Be kinder than necessary. Walk away from every fight, they are not worth it.
iseefractals 10 months ago
Fight as in physical altercation? Sure, maybe. Fight as in argument? Absolutely false. The failure of so many to fight against stupidity and entitlement is precisely why so much of the western world has become a dystopian hellscape.
#64
Meditation can help you to be aware of your thoughts.
Your thoughts are a part of you, a subsystem, not "You".
Implement Stoicism as a time proven system once you are aware of your thoughts.
#65
If you lose fat and gain muscle, people respect you more and assume you are smart. I’ve been fat and jacked and fat is more enjoyable when it comes to food but jacked just feels nice in a general way. You don’t need to be roided out but the rule of thumb is just to have your pecs go out farther than your stomach without flexing or sucking in your gut.
#66
If you call in say you have food poisoning. Don't abuse it.
If work bothers you at home say you have been drinking and can't come in or do whatever to be left alone.
Michael Largey 10 months ago (edited)
They wouldn't let me call in sick with "work poisoning", even though that was clearly the problem.
#67
Splits on a roulette table. 17, 34, 51, 68, 85, 102, 119, 136, 153, 170.
Don't ask me to split a bill by 16 or 18.
35 times table, let's go.
#68
May not be a great cheat code but it is (unfortunately) one.
If youre going to do it anyways its just better to ask for forgiveness instead of permission.
LittleWombat 10 months ago
This is contents of the would-be book "Why the Divorce Rate is Over 50%"
#69
Put a paper towel in front of an automatic toilet's sensor to wipe without triggering its flush mechanism.
Regina Holt 10 months ago
But you will need to know ahead of time whether or not you will need that paper towel, to bring one in with you.
#70
The Air Fryer replaces 10 appliances.
#71
Fake it 'til you make it.
#72
I asked how long it was going to be before the delivery truck unblocked my car. Manager gave me a margarita for free to wait. Was it my car or not?
#73
Up down up down up down gives you nice legs and big booty.
And in some scenarios can even spawn a new human.
#74
I can control my energy at will.
#75
Always fake golden retriever energy at work.
Jemima Bauer 10 months ago
I had a coworker that was like a golden retriever puppy. He was so extroverted it was painful to watch - I’d get there at 6 am and he was already there, wide awake and grinning and talking a mile a minute. Or popping up out of nowhere and spouting some word salad at top volume that’s probably supposed to be joke while waving his hand half an inch in front of my face. Or distracting me while I’m hurrying to finish the last tasks for the day so I can leave on time. Golden Retriever energy is The Worst.
What do you think ?
BookFanatic 10 months ago
Shower, and lay out your clothes the night before. Amazing how much calmer I am in the mornings when I'm not running around in a towel trying to find my other sock.
Aleksandras Tvardauskas 10 months ago
Bundling socks in pairs would also help ^^
Load More Replies...
Matt Du 10 months ago
"it's not what you know, but who you know" It does not matter how good a job your doing if you can't talk sports(so he can feel like a big man) with your male boss, the meathead in the corner is getting the job
Glitcher 10 months ago
Creep the boss online to find out his interests, learn enough about the thing to be able to talk about it. Got it.
Load More Replies... BookFanatic 10 months ago
Shower, and lay out your clothes the night before. Amazing how much calmer I am in the mornings when I'm not running around in a towel trying to find my other sock.
Aleksandras Tvardauskas 10 months ago
Bundling socks in pairs would also help ^^
Load More Replies... Matt Du 10 months ago
"it's not what you know, but who you know" It does not matter how good a job your doing if you can't talk sports(so he can feel like a big man) with your male boss, the meathead in the corner is getting the job
Glitcher 10 months ago
Creep the boss online to find out his interests, learn enough about the thing to be able to talk about it. Got it.
Load More Replies...
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