We at District Maven know that sometimes, life throws us some curveballs– pesky obstacles that get in the way of things being easy. Wouldn’t it be great if everything in life was carefree? We put our heads together and came up with the (insert number here) best life hacks that will help take away the stresses of daily life. From mental health tips to helpful marketing tidbits, we know these tricks will work for you like they work for us!
Personal, Non-Work Life "Hack"
You know the really long receipts you keep getting at CVS? Keep those and USE THEM! It can be easy to throw them in the depths of your car, but there are so many useful, and awesome deals that will save you money in the long run.
Are you a morning shower-er, but not a morning person? Crank up that cold water just when you’re about to get out and you’ll wake right up. Surprisingly, it's also such a mood booster.
One of our favorite life hacks is saving resealable frozen fruit bags and glass containers once they are empty. It’s way less expensive then buying actual containers and usually keeps the food fresher than using plastic Tupperware.
Reduce, reuse, recycle! Instead of using paper towels, we have found it to be incredibly helpful to use cloth ones instead. Buying these in bulk and washing them after every use (instead of buying tons of paper towels) is not only environmentally friendly, but will save you money as well.
Mental Health "Hack" (How to maintain positive mental health)
We are big self-help book people. Sometimes, you just need someone else’s words to help make sense of the world and to feel empowered. One of our personal favorites is I Am Definitely, Probably Enough (I Think): Revelations on the Journey to Self-Love, by Instagram artist and author, Tori Press. Her journey to self-love is relatable, a bit comical, and most of all, not over yet. Our Digital and Creative Assistant, Lindsay, reads it almost every day to remind herself that every day is a new day of trial and error. You can buy it on Amazon here.
Lindsay also says: I try to tell myself one thing I am looking forward to in the day ahead, each morning. Focusing on the present can be difficult sometimes, but I find that grounding myself every morning has helped immensely with my ability to stay in the now.
One of our personal mental health hacks is logging out entirely off of my personal social media during the workday so that we do not get distracted. Also, logging out of social media if you feel overwhelmed or start to feel left out can really benefit your mental wellbeing.
Finish your day with an activity that is not on your electronics. Instead of surfing social media, opt for reading an actual book or doing a puzzle, such as a crossword or Sudoku. It is a good way to start relaxing your eyes and mind for eventual bedtime, while also staying mentally stimulated at the same time.
Marketing "Hack"
Turning on notifications for brands and companies that you love on social media can help you stay up to date and interact with their content. This is also a great way to scope out competitors in your industry.
One of our favorite marketing hacks is using the InShot app to splice videos together, create stop motion, and create smooth transitions for FREE! And also using Display Purposes to capture the most popular hashtags on the web.
Take advantage of free trials offered by different marketing and design tools -- it is a great way to learn how to use them! Adobe Suite is a perfect example -- they offer a free, 30-day trial, allowing an ample amount of time to explore the software and determine whether actually buying into it is worth it for you. (Sometimes one tool proves to be more beneficial than others.) Plus, there are plenty of digital templates you can access and download for free that provide a great springboard for streamlining your creativity.
Career/Professional "Hack"
The best professional hack has to be using Linkedin to connect with peers and mentors that are in fields you want to be in, and staying on top of trends, and the latest in your field to always be a knowledgeable source.
Linkedin is a great resource for making connections. However, when applying for jobs- AVOID their job network and anything similar. If you really want to show companies you’re interested in working with them, do the research. Research the top places in your area in the industry you’re trying to work in, make a spreadsheet, and email or cold call all of them directly. Employers will be much more interested in your time if you show direct interest, rather than just a low-effort application on a job board. It also helps to make at least 10 connections first to get a feel for the company culture.
Always make it a point to follow up with connections you meet. Even if they are not valuable at the exact time you meet them, remember that not all trees bear fruit immediately. A good rule of thumb is to carry business cards (either paper or digital ones) and ask for one from those you converse with. Since networking opportunities often present themselves at unexpected times, make sure to take all of the business cards you collect in a given day and put them right on top of your computer keyboard. That way, you won't forget to follow up with them the next day. Simply sending a quick email saying "it was a pleasure meeting you" can go a long way in solidifying a professional relationship that can really boost your career.
All in all, life can be tricky sometimes. But with the right knowledge, life can be made simple and easy. Which life hack of ours is your favorite? Share with us on our social media to let us know some “cheat codes” to life that you’ve discovered. And while you’re at it, check out our services. We have a feeling our agency may be the marketing life hack your business is looking for.