A life hack, or helpful trick, is something that improves productivity and efficiency namely for lifestyle-related tasks. It might be a simple trick, a tip, a skill, or item that makes doing a job a little easier. The Original Hotpop microwave popping bowl, for instance, is a life-hack because it makes preparing popcorn much easier, and less messy. In general, it improves the task and helps to cut down on time you might waste popping the corn kernels.