Despite our illusions of independence and control, it is possible to manipulate people using a variety of psychological tricks—hell, that’s what the entire advertising and marketing industry is built on. So it makes sense that a little light mind control can go a long way toward getting things your way. When you delve into supposed psychological tricks, however, you often find yourself mired in a lot of pseudoscience and dubious claims. But while it’s true that you won’t be controlling minds and hypnotizing people to do your bidding any time soon, there are psychological tricks that really work—and they’re backed by scientific evidence.

If you're looking for a way to gain a little edge in your everyday life, here are some mind tricks that really work.

If you want someone to do something for you and you are met with resistance, you can use a trick to create a debt by doing something for them first. This relies on what is known as the norm of reciprocity, which is essentially the pressure people feel to return the favor. A simple example of this is when someone cleans your windshield while you are stopped at a traffic light and then asks for a tip. You did not ask them to clean your windshield, but once it is done, you feel pressure to return the favor.

You can create this debt in all sorts of ways. Waiters in restaurants write personal notes on your check to create a goodwill debt, which encourages you to leave bigger tips. Companies offer free trials of products and services because they know that once you use the product, you will feel guilty and will be less likely to cancel or return the item. So the next time you need someone to do something for you and you sense their reluctance, do something for them and you will increase your chances of success.