Have you heard of the Eisenhower Matrix? The productivity hack is based on the famously strong project management skills of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. “Whenever our affairs seem to be in crisis, we are almost compelled to give our first attention to the urgent present rather than to the important future,” he once said. The method helps you prioritize your to-do list using a simple, four-box matrix — learn how to apply it to your own life.
Must Reads
A financial educator debunked common myths about credit card debt, including the notion that you should avoid it entirely
From Reading to Running Errands, Doing Just About Anything Is Better With a Friend: Study
CandyRetriever/ iStock
The next time you have to hit the bank or post office, call a friend and make a date out of it: It’s good for you. That’s according to recent research linking happiness to companionship across over 80 different daily activities — from the mundane, like getting gas, to those that seem nonsocial by their very nature, like managing personal finances. Published in August, the study was based on a large set of data called the American Time Use Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. Specifically, it looked at data from four years during which survey respondents were asked to rate their happiness while partaking in daily activities. In total, researchers examined how more than 41,000 people felt, and whether they interacted with others, across over 105,000 instances of the activities analyzed. “These results suggest that whether we are eating, reading, or even cleaning up around the house, happiness thrives in the company of others,” the study authors wrote. Speaking to The Washington Post, senior author Elizabeth Dunn added that the research “suggests that we are leaving some happiness on the table by engaging in everyday activities alone.”
Together With Miso Robotics
“One of the Largest Industries Ever”
That’s what Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang said about robotics. In fact, Ark Invest says it could be a $24 trillion global opportunity. That’s why it matters that both Nvidia and Amazon helped Miso Robotics perfect its new AI-powered kitchen robot. Miso’s AI-powered kitchen robots have logged over 200,000 hours for major restaurant brands like White Castle. And with the launch of its first commercial robot, Miso’s ready to scale into a $4 billion/year revenue opportunity. Now, Miso’s leveraging a brand-new manufacturing partnership to boost its U.S.-based production to meet demand across more than 100,000 fast food locations. And you can join 39,000 people as an investor. Just don’t wait: Invest before Oct. 23, the final day to invest this year.
This is a paid advertisement for Miso Robotics’ Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.misorobotics.com.
Tech
The Coolest Way to Create AC? Sustainable, Cost-Effective Ice Batteries
Trane Technologies
Schools, commercial buildings, and government institutions are increasingly turning to an air conditioning system that’s both sustainable and cost-effective: ice batteries. They’re a refreshing (pun intended) switch from traditional cooling methods — which contributed to around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, according to Our World in Data. But ice batteries, a type of thermal energy storage, reduce strain on the grid and slash electricity usage, which also ends up cutting energy costs. Here’s how they work: Water is frozen during nighttime hours when electricity is cheap. The resulting ice, stored in tanks, thaws the following day without using any energy during regular business hours. That cold water chills the water circulating in a building’s pipes, and ultimately creates cool air that’s pushed through vents in the rooms using minimal electricity. One of those buildings is iconic New York skyscraper Eleven Madison, where approximately 500,000 pounds of ice — or about three city buses packed with ice cubes — are created nightly, per CBS News. Another is Kentucky’s Norton Audubon Hospital, which lowered its energy costs by $278,000 the first year it used ice batteries. And looking to the future, manufacturers are also targeting data centers, as they require high levels of energy and cooling. Ted Tiffany, senior technical lead at the nonprofit Building Decarbonization Coalition, told the Associated Press: “Storing energy for further uses is where we’re going with the future of the grid.”
Environment
Goats Take the Slopes: Vermont Ski Resort Tries “Goatscaping” to Clear Trails and Cut Carbon
Jay Peak Resort
Why use gas-powered mowers to clear slopes ahead of ski season when hungry four-legged friends can do the job? At Jay Peak Resort in Vermont, goats and sheep are helping tamp down overgrown vegetation before the first snow arrives, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional machinery. “This year has proven that it can be done and be done successfully,” Andy Stenger, director of mountain and base area operations at the resort, told the Associated Press. “They’re great employees. They take a lot of lunch breaks, but that’s kind of the idea.” Lots of “lunch breaks” indeed. The animals are expected to graze about 25 acres over five weeks in a “goatscaping” trial aimed at helping ski resorts reduce their carbon footprints while naturally maintaining the terrain and reducing soil erosion. Special collars track the herd’s health and location, ensuring they’re both up for the task and staying within safe boundaries. The job doesn’t get done as fast, Stenger explained, but what the animals lack in speed they make up for in other ways: “It’s a lot of fun to have them on the mountain,” he said. Watch them in action.
In Other News
The world’s first blood test to detect chronic fatigue syndrome has been developed (read more)
Ancient life was resurrected during a project to restore Toronto coastal wetlands — take a peek (read more)
Sixteen U.S. properties earned top honors in the Michelin Guide’s first-ever hotel awards (read more)
Paying it forward: Meet the former foster child who’s fostered more than 40 children since 2022 (read more)
Scientists created a groundbreaking tool to help people track a harmful, invisible air pollutant (read more)
Inspiring Story
Window washers to the rescue
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s actually your friendly neighborhood window washers, dropping from the roof at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore. Last Thursday, a group dressed as Superman, Spider-Man, the Flash, Iron Man, Batman, and the Hulk polished the center’s windows, much to the thrill of the kids inside — see the superheroes at work.
Photo of the Day
Adam Mork/ 3XN
Just looking at this stunning skyscraper, you’d never guess it’s made from repurposed materials — but it’s the world’s first upcycled high-rise. The 676-foot-tall Quay Quarter Tower in Sydney, completed in 2022, was built using 95% of the old AMP Centre that previously stood in its place. It was named World Building of the Year when it opened, and now it’s been recognized as one of the 15 finalists for Prince William’s 2025 Earthshot Prize for its impact in combating climate change.
The Benefits of Supplementing Collagen With NativePath
Collagen is essential for healthy skin, joints, and overall vitality — but most people don’t know how much they actually need each day. This quick guide from NativePath dives into the optimal daily supplement amount, why it matters, and some simple ways to boost collagen naturally.
