Buy a box (10 or so) of small LED flashlights. Place one discretely behind anything you routinely have to peer behind. I have one behind my fridge, my television and inside my computer rack.
Work Hack:
When hosting a meeting, never schedule more than 30 minutes. This requires keeping things on point and moving ahead. Start on-time, state the point, tease that the meeting should only take 20 minutes. Avoid rehashing for late-comers, explain that you'll get with them after the call/meeting. Participation goes up when people have incentive and when you have a reputation for starting on time, people will arrive on time. The ones that don't probably don't need to be there.
If you're at a larger company, greet everyone you pass in the hallway regardless of title, position, or rank. Get to know their names and use it in the greeting (there was a famous book somewhere . . .). "Good Morning, Joe" is enough.
Completely disconnect for more than two days every once in a while, especially if you're in a rut somewhere (dead-end project, writer's block). I'd take short cruises and spend the majority of the time watching the water (this was back when cruises didn't have internet access or cell service, and even now the cost is prohibitive enough that you can tell work "You can reach me for $9.00 a minute"). The first day or so is discomforting, but after the third you stop thinking about what you missed on Hacker News.
You didn't say Vacation Hacks, but I have a few:
- Schedule trips during the common first/last week of school. Parents usually can't take trips at this time, so resorts/cruises are usually under-booked and less expensive.
- If you like cruises, watch NYC launches that happen over one of the big Jewish holidays, especially themed or promo cruises. Cruises are usually booked several months in advance. Cancellations are common, the cruise company gets paid partially and wants to fill the room. I got a $500 and $400 balcony on a 7-day in East Caribbean on a great ship this way. Both were themed cruises, so this may make a difference (much earlier booking, perhaps).