Jeff Haden
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Articles by Jeff Haden
Need to Solve a Problem? Neuroscience Says Try the Jack Reacher Method
1:46 4 hours ago China: Embodied AI Applications Hub Opens in Hong Kong. StringersHub • 4h Hong Kong - October 16, 2026 Hong Kong's first embodied artificial intelligence international applications hub opens in Hong Kong, China, on October 16, 2026.
Need to Solve a Problem? Neuroscience Says Try the Jack Reacher Method
Granted, ‘Reacher Method’ is my term for it—but science says it works. There’s a point in Lee Child’s book Make Me (the 20th in his Jack Reacher series, for those keeping score) where Reacher is trying to solve a problem and decides to back-burner it: Instead of actively working the problem, he sets it aside, trusting his subconscious to eventually make the right connections. Which it does. Sound kinda hokey? Actually, no.
Science Says You Don’t Have to Be (That) Smart to Get Rich
Research shows three things matter a lot more, and each is something you can better develop. I asked LinkedIn followers to choose which personal attribute contributes most to financial success. (There are plenty of other types, since we all get to decide how we define “success.”) If that’s your goal, or a goal, which attribute is most likely to make you wealthy? Lots of people said education. Others cited access to opportunities, which isn’t really a personal attribute.
A New Study Shows Good Friends Make You Healthier (and Live Longer): How Loneliness Impacts Physical and Mental Health
A major new study suggests feeling lonely or socially isolated can cut years of healthy life, especially in terms of mental health. You’ve probably aware of research that shows loneliness and social isolation are linked to higher risks of mortality.
How to Create an Employee Work Schedule
An unpredictable shift schedule benefits no one. One recent study found that unpredictable work schedules and limited control over shift patterns are associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms in employees, while a 2025 Gallup survey found that unpredictable schedules drive absenteeism, turnover, and financial instability.
Want to Get More Deep, Restorative Sleep, Starting Tonight? Science Says All It Takes Is 10 Minutes a Day
A little more activity can lead to longer periods of restorative sleep. Getting good sleep is critical. One study found that people who sleep for five to six hours are 19 percent less productive than people who regularly sleep for seven to eight hours per night. People who sleep for fewer than five hours are nearly 30 percent less productive; while they’re up longer, they actually get less done.
Want to Get More Deep, Restorative Sleep, Starting Tonight? Science Says All It Takes is 10 Minutes a Day
Three NFL teams roasted for celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day on Columbus Day, which no team even mentioned Christopher Columbus gets absolutely no love from the NFL. It's fair to believe that because on the federal holiday honoring Christopher Columbus and his place in American history, not one NFL team nor the league itself recognized Columbus Day on social media. It's at least the second consecutive …
Science Says Happier People Prioritize 3 Key Aspects of Life. So Should You
15 Foods With More Omega-3s Than Walnuts Walnuts get plenty of attention for their omega-3 fatty acids, but they’re not the only way to get more of these healthy fats. Plenty of foods …
Science Says Happier People Prioritize 3 Key Aspects of Life. So Should You
Why pick one when you can choose–and benefit–from all three? While I’m about to share a number of studies, you don’t research to tell you that your relationship plays a major role in how happy you feel. As sociologist Brad Wilcox writes in Get Married: Marital quality is, far and away, the top predictor I have run across of life satisfaction in America.
The Best Book You’ll Read This Year if You Want to Be More Successful (and a Lot Less Stressed)
Kylie Jenner 2 hours ago Over 9.4 Million People Have Viewed This Divisive Clip From Kylie Jenner’s Latest Vlog, And It’s Sparked A Major Debate About Her Extravagant Lifestyle BuzzFeed - Ellen Durney • 2h As you may have seen, Kylie Jenner has been posting YouTube vlogs that show off her everyday life as a 29-year-old mom, business owner, and multi-millionaire. And in the latest vlog, she rented out a whole movie theater to watch Verity with her friends.
The Best Book You’ll Read This Year if You Want to Be More Successful (and a Lot Less Stressed)
Ben Meer’s new book, ‘How to Be Good at Life,’ is the perfect guide to building the life you want to live. Lots of authors and publishers send me books hoping I’ll write about them. Usually the books just arrive, but occasionally an author will first ask if I’m interested. Very occasionally an author I admire asks if I’m interested.
Want Your Kids to Develop Better Interpersonal Skills? Science Says Let Them See You Disagree
As long as they see you work through those disagreements in a reasonable and respectful way, of course. While I’m sure they had their moments, my parents rarely disagreed in front of me, and never argued. Instead they took a “not in front of the kids” approch to conflict, if only in an effort to present a united front.
The Only Thing You Can Buy That’s Guaranteed to Make You Happier, Backed by Science
The only catch? You need to have a plan for what you just purchased, and follow through on that plan. An entrepreneur friend of mine struggled to balance business and family. Business usually “won,” since professional demands often feel more urgent. Miss a school event because of a shipping problem? That sucks, but you promise yourself you’ll make the next one. Miss dinner with your family because you had to deal with a problem employee? That sucks, but you tell yourself tomorrow is another day.
Want to Be More Persuasive, Starting Today? Research Says Stop Making Statements and Start Asking Questions
5 hours ago The world has moved on, including in the way we measure productivity. Spoiler alert: It’s no longer about volume. Man, I’ve been waiting to write this one for a while. Generative AI is over. Wait, what? No, not really. I like to get histrionic when I spit out these little proclamations that will be …
Want to Be More Persuasive, Starting Today? Research Says Stop Making Statements and Start Asking Questions
Why? Because we all prefer–and are more likely–to persuade ourselves. No one ever accomplishes anything truly worthwhile on their own. That’s why every successful person (at least that I know) is often able to persuade and influence the people around them. The same is true for you: even if just occasionally, you need to be able to convince other people that an idea makes sense. Or that a particular goal is worth pursuing together. Or that an action should be taken.
Emotionally intelligent people use 3 words to turn anxiety and stress into confidence and resolve, backed by neuroscience
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Emotionally Intelligent People Use 3 Words to Turn Anxiety and Stress Into Confidence and Resolve, Backed by Neuroscience
Parents across Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh received messages from schools on Sunday announcing a last-minute plan to shift to remote learning for a week. There was no official reason given but the move comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and near-daily attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed …
Emotionally Intelligent People Use 3 Words to Turn Anxiety and Stress Into Confidence and Resolve, Backed by Neuroscience
You can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you respond. Emotional intelligence matters: The better you understand and manage your emotions, and the emotions of people around you, the greater your chances of success (in whatever way you choose to define success). Sounds good in theory, but it’s not always so easy in practice, especially in stressful moments where managing your emotions is difficult.
Better sleep, better health: A new study shows getting more REM sleep is linked to lower risk of 83 different diseases
A 95,000-person shows getting more REM sleep lowers the risk of dozens of diseases. So does getting more deep sleep.
Better Sleep, Better Health: a New Study Shows Getting More REM Sleep is Linked to Lower Risk of 83 Different Diseases
A 95,000-person shows getting more REM sleep lowers the risk of dozens of diseases. So does getting more deep sleep. Research shows how many hours of sleep you get each night is important: A study presented at the Nutrition 2023 conference found that people who sleep between seven and nine hours a night, with no long periods of wakefulness, reduce their rate of death from any cause by 18 percent.
Harvard Research Shows Great Negotiators Use This Sentence to Pay 8 Percent Less (and Avoid Haggling)
4 hours ago Decoding meeting dynamics isn’t an instinct—it’s a skill you can hone. Below, Pamela Meyer shares five key insights from her new book, How to Read the Room: The Art and Science of Social Observation. Pamela has been studying human behavior for decades. As a certified fraud examiner and the founder and …
Harvard Research Shows Great Negotiators Use This Sentence to Pay 8 Percent Less (and Avoid Haggling)
Dislike negotiating? Hate to haggle? This phrase short-circuits the back and forth—and results in better deals. We got several estimates for installing glass railings at a property we own. Since the view from the deck is great we liked the idea of glass, but we weren’t willing to pay over a certain amount. (I like the idea of owning a Ferrari, but there’s a limit to how much I’ll pay for a car.) Two of the estimates were close to our max number.
Feeling Stressed? Neuroscience Says What You (Don’t) Do for the Next 2 Minutes Will Make You Feel Calmer and More Relaxed
Research shows a two-minute silence break significantly reduces your heart rate and blood pressure. I hate a friend who despises silence. Wake up: music. In the car: music. Walking: music or podcasts. In his house: music, or TV for background noise. In bed: sleep sound machine. And that’s when things are going well. When he feels stressed, he turns up the volume. Which is all fine, until it isn’t. First, take noise you don’t choose.
Nervous About Stepping Into a Superstar’s Shoes? Take Draymond Green’s Brilliantly Counterintuitive Approach
The first step is to ensure people won’t be able to make apples-to-apples comparisons. The best machine operator in the plant — fastest job changeovers, least amount of downtime, best quality — had to be off work for two months. As an apprentice with some amount of training but very little actual experience, I had to replace him. I was nervous. I felt intimidated. There was no way I could fill his shoes; the comparison in skills would be clearly evident, and stark. So I focused on what I could do.
How to Keep Your Team Safe (and Your Business Running) Through A Workplace Emergency
What constitutes an “emergency” may vary from person to person. For small business owners, a workplace emergency can be anything from a macro-level catastrophe like a natural disaster or a pandemic to an acute crisis like a medical event, explosion, or workplace violence. Most owners feel ready for whatever may come. But are they?
Harvard Researchers Identified 5 Types of Questions. 1 Makes a Great First Impression—and Builds Lasting Relationships
Fortunately, it’s easy to stop mirroring, switching, or partial-switching and start asking the right kinds of follow-up questions. According to a Harvard University study published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, asking someone you’ve just met at least three questions makes them see you as much more likable. As the researchers write: People who ask more questions, particularly follow-up questions, are better liked by their conversation partners.
Harvard Researchers Identified 5 Types of Questions. 1 Makes a Great First Impression–and Builds Lasting Relationships
What are the world’s biggest AI companies and how much are they worth? From Nvidia and OpenAI to Anthropic and xAI, we break down the companies driving the AI boom and how much they are worth. A renewed debate has emerged over who should control the development of artificial intelligence (AI). The latest dispute follows an essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who has …
Want to Turn Failure Into Progress and Even Happiness? Science Says Just Tell Yourself the Right Story
The way you frame a failure can make you feel better in the present and more likely to be successful (and happy) in the future. Even though failing is never fun, especially in the moment, people tend to view their failures in one of two ways. Say I deliver a new keynote speech, and it bombs: I could see that failed keynote (or, if I’m a catastrophizer, any speaking event) as something to avoid in the future.
The 1,000-to-1 Bet Warren Buffett Refused to Make (and So Should You)
If you want to be successful, especially over the long term. For most of us, discipline is situational rather than absolute. I don’t drink at home, but I’ll sometimes have a drink if we go out. I rarely miss workouts, except for when we’re on a trip. I always write for five or six hours a day, except for the times a construction project distracts me. A ninety-plus percent hit rate on doing things that are good for me, with a little disciplined indulgence mixed in? I’ll take that.
This Billionaire Had a Root Canal Without Novocaine to ‘See If He Was a Badass.’ You Don’t Have to Go Nearly That Far
Want to develop greater mental fortitude? Want to prove something to yourself? Small challenges work as well as crazy ones. I was probably seven or eight years old and needed to have a cavity filled. My mother asked if there was an additional cost for Novocaine. The dentist looked puzzled and said, “Um, yes….” My mother looked at me. I knew what I should say. “I don’t need it,” I told the dentist, and raw-dogged every filling until I was an adult. Did they hurt? Oh, yeah.
Want to Stop Dreaming and Start Doing? Why Successful People Always Use This Word
One small change that can turn an endless loop of planning into immediate action. Three people I know face the same struggle. One wants to start a business. Another wants to get in better shape. The third wants to be a writer. None of them have actually started, though. The aspiring entrepreneur has placed all his financial hopes on small-business success, so he’s still trying to perfect his business plan.
Can Adding This Element to Your Goals Make You Happier and More Successful? Science Says Yes
Pursuing a goal with meaning? That’s the key to greater happiness and a greater likelihood of success. Achieving a goal can make you happier, but so can simply pursuing a goal. As David Niven writes in 100 Simple Secrets of the Best Half of Life, “People who could identify a goal they were pursuing were 19 percent more likely to feel satisfied with their lives, and 26 percent more likely to feel positive about themselves.” As long as it’s the right type of goal.
Intermittent Fasting, Grazing, or OMAD? Science Says Meal Frequency Has No Impact on Appetite or Overall Health
What’s important is whether an eating regimen works for you. A friend swears by intermittent fasting. His meal window opens at noon and closes at 6 p.m. He’s convinced it helps him burn more fat and keep his weight down. Another friend eats a number of small meals throughout the day. She’s convinced it helps her keep her weight down by boosting her metabolism and controlling her hunger.
Intermittent fasting, grazing, or OMAD? Science says meal frequency has no impact on appetite or overall health
What's important is whether an eating regimen works for you. A friend swears by intermittent fasting . His meal window opens at noon and closes at 6 p.m. He's convinced it helps him burn more fat and keep his weight down Another friend eats a number of small meals throughout the day. She's convinced it helps her keep her weight down by boosting her metabolism and controlling her hunger.
The Upside of Imposter Syndrome
Research shows doubting your skills or success can actually be a good thing. Imposter syndrome sounds like a bad thing. Feeling you’re unworthy? Feeling insecure and anxious, even though you’re actually skilled, accomplished, experienced, and talented? Sounds terrible. Sounds like something you need to overcome. Or not.
This Pioneering Psychologist’s Simple Equation Predicts How Successful You Will Be (and Explains Why)
Regardless of the way you choose to define ‘success.’ When Nascar Cup Series driver Ross Chastain was 20 years old, he moved from Florida to North Carolina. Why? The Charlotte metro area is to aspiring stock car drivers, mechanics, engineers, etc. what Silicon Valley is (or at least was) to aspiring tech entrepreneurs. Or like Nashville is to aspiring country music artists, songwriters, etc.
Want to Accomplish More? Research Says Stop Trying to Achieve So Much at Once
Studies show the average person is pursuing seven different goals at the same time. Science suggests that’s part of the problem. Goals: we all have them. While estimates vary, at least one study says that most people set goals. And since we’re all ambitious, in our own ways, we tend to have a lot of goals. Another study determined the average (goal-setting) person is actively pursuing seven different goals at any given time. Which sounds good at face value, but research shows can also be a problem.
Why we need ‘Human Reserved’ jobs, says Bill Gates—and how we can combat the worst of the AI upheaval Original
Bill Gates urgently called for the world to address risks associated with artificial intelligence. "AI will either be the greatest equalizer ever invented, or the worst source of injustice," the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft wrote in a 6,000-word memo published Wednesday. He shared some thoughts on how to combat the worst — and I think he has a point. My father had dementia. Near the end, he literally forgot how to swallow.
How Did the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., Go From 0 to 190 Miles an Hour in Just 7 Months?
I talked with race chairman Bud Denker about how his team pulled together this historic event in a fraction of the time typically required. While there are plenty of ways to describe what an entrepreneur does, “project manager” works pretty well. Launch a business? Project. Develop new products and services? Projects. Open new sales channels? Project. Even the smallest tasks — individual sales, individual interactions, individual orders fulfilled, etc. — are mini-projects.
Want to Be More Productive, Creative, and Focused? Oddly Enough, Science Says the Key Is to Take More Microbreaks
Always grinding? Sure—as long as you take a few short breaks along the way. Hard work matters. To paraphrase Mark Cuban, effort is the one thing you can control. (Intelligently applying that effort is next on the list.) For many of us, our only real competitive advantage is our ability to work harder and longer than other people. But maybe not too long, at least at one time.
Will Buxton on the Historic Nature (and Personal Relevance) of the IndyCar Freedom 250 GP
I spoke with FOX Sports IndyCar broadcaster Will Buxton about calling this weekend’s Freedom 250 GP of Washington, D.C. and about not trying to “force” viral moments. A content creator friend had a viral moment. Tens of millions of views across multiple platforms. Broader mainstream attention. In social media terms, a bona fide hit.
Jeff Bezos Says Make Decisions Before You Have ‘Enough’ Information. If You Want to Be Happier, Science Says He’s Right
Bezos may or may not be right about his 70 percent rule, but research shows he’s onto something where future happiness is concerned. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos clearly favors execution over analysis. As Bezos says, “Most decisions should probably be made with somewhere around 70 percent of the information you wish you had.” If you value planning, and are relatively risk-averse, the thought of making decisions with incomplete information might make you uncomfortable.
Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, and Satya Nadella Feel Their Hobbies Make Them More Successful. Science Says They’re Right
Focused, relentless, and always grinding? Research shows that approach may work against you if you hope to achieve lasting success. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says playing cricket taught him lessons about teamwork and leadership — put your team first, and bring out the best in other people — that have stayed with him throughout his career. Richard Branson says spending several hours a day doing physical activities he enjoys actually expands his day by making him more energetic and productive.
Less Inflammation, Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Science Says Drink a Glass of Orange Juice Every Day
Orange juice influences genes that control inflammation, blood pressure, metabolism, and blood sugar. I often have a glass of orange juice for breakfast when I travel. Turns out I should have a glass of orange juice every day.
Want to Be More Resilient? Psychologists Say Start Embracing an Uncertainty Orientation Mindset
Rarely will there be a perfect plan. That’s why being willing to be flexible often separates doers from dreamers. I make my grandkids work out with me whenever they visit. (“Make” is probably a strong word; while they don’t love working out, they do like it, in that “it’s always fun to have done something hard” way.) I usually write down the exercises, weights, number of sets, number of reps, etc. ahead of time. They refer to it often, because they like knowing what’s ahead, and what’s left.
Want to Be More Resilient? Psychologists Say Start Embracing an ‘Uncertainty Orientation’ Mindset
Technology 3 hours ago A Baconian approach to the mostly Aristotelian corporate AI. And what that means for your business Fast Company - BY Enrique Dans • 3h Large language models are amazing and extraordinary reasoning machines. However, companies need a new breed of systems that can act, observe consequences, and learn from reality as it happens.
Want to be more resilient? Psychologists say start embracing an uncertainty orientation mindset
Rarely will there be a perfect plan. That's why being willing to be flexible often separates doers from dreamers. I make my grandkids work out with me whenever they visit. (“Make” is probably a strong word; while they don't love working out, they do like it, in that “it's always fun to have done something hard” way.) I usually write down the exercises, weights, number of sets, number of reps, etc. ahead of time. They refer to it often, because they like knowing what's ahead, and what's left.
Want to Be a Landlord? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy a Rental Property
Before you buy a rental property to create cash flow and build long term wealth, make sure being a landlord is right for you. Lots of people say they want to own investment properties. Passive income (even though, if you do it right, income from investment properties is far from passive). Tax advantages. Appreciation and equity growth. Diversification. The outcomes from being a landlord can be great. But, as with most worthwhile pursuits, you can’t just want the results. You also have to want the work.
Want to Own Rental Properties? 5 Financial Mistakes Smart Landlords Refuse to Make
Here are some simple mistakes to avoid when you purchase, and manage, residential rental properties. Think you learn more from mistakes than from success? You’re right: According to a study published in Annual Review of Psychology, the bigger the error you make (and the more confident you were about being right going into it), the more likely you are to learn from that mistake. Great — but what if you’re a first-time landlord? It’s hard to learn from mistakes you have yet to make.
New Scientific Discovery Says You Should Make Your Parents Start Taking a Daily Multivitamin
Taking a daily multivitamin won’t just help your parents maintain their cognitive function. It also helps maintain functional health. According to a series of studies published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants who took a daily multivitamin for three years experienced a 30 percent improvement in memory, recall, and cognitive function compared with the placebo group.
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