Help me unplug guys I've had enough!

[BackInTheGame78]

I'm full. I'm not actively looking for , wanting or need new clients.

I'm actively turning clients down and refusing to take them on because I don't want them. The demand here is high and disproportionate to the number of people offering the service I do.

I'm not interested in expanding and don't want to employ anyone.

I'm HAPPY with where I'm at. I love my job, get paid great money and live exactly how I want. No adjustments needed.

Only think I'm interested in is the original topic

The only thing I will say about that is that at the end of the day you are still trading your time for money, and that only works when you have time available and the ability to use it to perform a function.

What happens in the instance you get really sick for a few weeks? You get in a car accident and break your leg and are on crutches for 4-6 weeks? Etc...

I'm not saying this to discourage you from what you are doing or saying you should be doing something different, merely that the end goal should always be to free yourself from the time for money model because life comes with unforeseen issues that you may not have expected and if there is no plan for what to do in those situations and no protections then you have a giant hole in your business model. Hoping those don't happen is not a valid plan.

This isn't try to derail the thread, this is simply sound business practice and giving food for thought and ways of thinking that protect you in all situations.

 

[CaptFinnBad]

The only thing I will say about that is that at the end of the day you are still trading your time for money, and that only works when you have time available and the ability to use it to perform a function.

What happens in the instance you get really sick for a few weeks? You get in a car accident and break your leg and are on crutches for 4-6 weeks? Etc...

I'm not saying this to discourage you from what you are doing or saying you should be doing something different, merely that the end goal should always be to free yourself from the time for money model because life comes with unforeseen issues that you may not have expected and if there is no plan for what to do in those situations and no protections then you have a giant hole in your business model. Hoping those don't happen is not a valid plan.

This isn't try to derail the thread, this is simply sound business practice and giving food for thought and ways of thinking that protect you in all situations.

This is sound and I actually appreciate this feedback. A lot of good points.

I've built in a safety net have quite a bit of money put away this way. I could comfortably not work receive income for 6 months to a year and be just fine.

I also have other source of income completely independent from my dog business. Although that side hustle isn't doing as great as it once was.

I own the property I live in outright also jointly own another property with someone else (owned outright) which we rent out and split the income.



I'm actually looking at buying land in the future. Demand is so high where I am for dog related stuff.

I want to divide the land into 3 or 4 separate fenced fields. Have it all authorised via a website, where customers get emailed a gate code on purchasing.

Basically secure dog fields where customers can book online and it's all automated. A secure field customers can switch off any plan with their dog.

Huge demand in the area , there is one in the area but it's booked up 7am until 8pm for 3 months in advance.

It's almost impossible to get a slot.


Weekly parameter checks , but of maintenance here and there but it mostly runs itself.

Setting it up and finding the land will be a right faff though.

 

[Divorced w 3]

Guys your both stroking your egos giving unsolicited advise where it's not needed or wanted.

Can we just stay on topic please...

You asked for help you gaslighting joke

 

[CaptFinnBad]

You asked for help you gaslighting joke

I want help with the original topic.

I only gave you the stage because you were relentless with giving businesses advise , I didn't want and that wasn't helpful.

 

[Divorced w 3]

I want help with the original topic.

I only gave you the stage because you were relentless with giving businesses advise , I didn't want and that wasn't helpful.

No buddy, to answer your question you cannot use social media without them putting ads and algos driven content in your face. You get what you pay for. If you lack the self control to stop scrolling that’s an issue you need to dig into as a grown man

the idea that you would ask for assistance and then argue with it is beyond me

Also why hide and take multiple posts to state you’re a dog walker. Did me or anyone else once give you a hard time about your job, no, be proud of it, that you run a business, that you have a full client list, and stop being sheepish. This line of thinking goes beyond your job and speaks more to who you portray yourself to be as a person. Good luck

 

[CaptFinnBad]

I took multiple posts because it's not a topic I wanted or needed advise on. It's established and the way I run it is very efficient and streamlined as it is , literally nothing I want to change about it.

I knew if I mentioned it, I'd start getting advise and it would detail my original topic (which it has lol ).

I am looking to set up a new business in the future to run alongside this and when I eventually get the ball rolling on that one , advice and guidance would deeply be appreciated and valued.

But until then I just want to talk about internet privacy settings, e.t.c.

Honestly hope I haven't come across as harsh or a **** or anything. I was just trying to shut down my topic from being derailed.

Nothing personal.

 

[CaptFinnBad]

No buddy, to answer your question you cannot use social media without them putting ads and algos driven content in your face. You get what you pay for. If you lack the self control to stop scrolling that’s an issue you need to dig into as a grown man

the idea that you would ask for assistance and then argue with it is beyond me

Also why hide and take multiple posts to state you’re a dog walker. Did me or anyone else once give you a hard time about your job, no, be proud of it, that you run a business, that you have a full client list, and stop being sheepish. This line of thinking goes beyond your job and speaks more to who you portray yourself to be as a person. Good luck

I took multiple posts because it's not a topic I wanted or needed advise on. It's established and the way I run it is very efficient and streamlined as it is , literally nothing I want to change about it.

I knew if I mentioned it, I'd start getting advise and it would detail my original topic (which it has lol ).

I am looking to set up a new business in the future to run alongside this and when I eventually get the ball rolling on that one , advice and guidance would deeply be appreciated and valued.

But until then I just want to talk about internet privacy settings, e.t.c.

Honestly hope I haven't come across as harsh or a **** or anything. I was just trying to shut down my topic from being derailed.

Nothing personal.

 

[Divorced w 3]

I took multiple posts because it's not a topic I wanted or needed advise on. It's established and the way I run it is very efficient and streamlined as it is , literally nothing I want to change about it.

I knew if I mentioned it, I'd start getting advise and it would detail my original topic (which it has lol ).

I am looking to set up a new business in the future to run alongside this and when I eventually get the ball rolling on that one , advice and guidance would deeply be appreciated and valued.

But until then I just want to talk about internet privacy settings, e.t.c.

Honestly hope I haven't come across as harsh or a **** or anything. I was just trying to shut down my topic from being derailed.

Nothing personal.

All good bro

 

[CaptFinnBad]

Talked to chatGPT.

Talked me through what I needed to do.


"That’s a really sharp observation — you’ve already narrowed it down to the two platforms that pull the hardest. And you’re right: you can’t totally avoid Facebook/YouTube if you rely on them for business and learning. But you can strip out most of the manipulative, personalised stuff so they’re more like “tools” instead of “traps.”

Here’s how it works, step by step:


Facebook
What you can do:

Turn off ad personalisation (mostly):

Go to Settings → Ads → Ad Preferences.

Disable “Ads based on your activity on Facebook Company Products.”

Remove interests/topics it has saved about you (it’s usually a long creepy list).

Limit tracking outside Facebook:

Settings → Your Facebook Information → Off-Facebook Activity → Clear history and Manage Future Activity → Turn off.

Use business tools separately:

Consider using Meta Business Suite (business.facebook.com) just for your business work. You can even access it in a separate browser with no news feed scrolling.

Reality check:
Ads will still appear — but they’ll be way less targeted. More like random billboards than laser-focused manipulation.


YouTube
What you can do:

Pause watch & search history:

Settings → History & privacy → Pause Watch History + Pause Search History.

This stops YouTube from tailoring the “Up next” autoplay spiral.

Turn off personalised ads (Google-wide):

Go to Google Ad Settings.

Toggle Ad Personalisation OFF.

Use subscriptions instead of recommendations:

Subscribe to the channels you actually want to learn from.

Go straight to “Subscriptions” tab instead of “Home.”

Third-party blocker (optional):

Extensions like Unhook (Chrome/Firefox) can hide YouTube recommendations, comments, or the “Up next” column so you only see what you choose.

Reality check:
Without history, YouTube won’t “learn” what you like, so you’ll need to bookmark/save good channels manually. But it makes your time there purposeful.


Across both
Browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger block a lot of tracking and ads before they even reach you.

Separate environments: Use one browser (or browser profile) just for business/learning. Use another for personal stuff. That way, the data streams don’t mix.


Short answer: Yes, you can disable personalised ads on both Facebook & YouTube/Google. You’ll still see ads, but they’ll be generic — and you’ll cut out most of the algorithm’s ability to profile you. "

 

[CaptFinnBad]

Super impressed my meta business suite. Does exactly what I need it to do.

I can actually manage my content/interact with clients, advertise , message and post in a clean environment. No adds, no content, nothing.

Just a tabs, a tab my page, a tab where I post content across all platforms (with the option to post content in specific local Facebook groups where my target audience hang out), and an inbox tab where I can answer messages , reply to comments e.t.c.

Best of all I don't have to log onto social media anymore. Haven't done it yet but I think I can even delete Facebook, Instagram and possibly Facebook messenger apps from my phone. This is exactly what I was looking for!

Thank you for the user that recommended chatGPT.

 

[plumber]

I train frequently.

I interact with a lot of people, I'm just noticing a pattern everyone is being sucked into their own little bubble and being spoon fed garbage through the internet and profiling.

I just want to streamline my experience, limit my exposure. I'll definitely use chatgpt thanks for the advise

yes, it is really happening just like you see it. to many sheep.

 

[Doug_Pounder]

Just get some books on internet addiction, learn some skills to keep you from overspending your time online

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

You're are very mistaken. Social media is essential to the success / growth of my business.

Not debating this with someone who doesn't understand my business.

Hire someone to manage it for you

 

[BillyPilgrim]

What is that special top secret service you’re selling that you can’t simply tell us, are you looking for actual help or are you just trying to be idignant and rack posts up? I run a 7 figure online sales practice but, what would I know right?

OP is a Top-Secret Dog Walker. Don't tell anyone.

 

[Vanderdonck]

Love the internet, love technology, it's a great tool.

I'm just done with all this targeted bulls1t , algorithms, user profile based content , ads e.t.c.

I need Facebook and Instagram for advertising my business.

YouTube is a great learning tool.

I use Google Chrome a lot too for obvious reasons.

Basically I want to take control. I'm finding these companies or whatever you call them are profiling me, giving me specific content and ads.

The problem I'm finding is the content I'm being shown daily isn't objective and it's very singular.

It's exactly the same with everyone, It latches onto what you're most likely to click/watch not giving a damb what it is.

I believe this creates limited beliefs and to some extent brainwashing where you're constantly reinforced by a certain way of thinking / beliefs/ viewpoints.

.
No sure if it's possible? But I want this...


1. Facebook, Instagram and chrome that doesn't give me targeted content or ads. Just shows me cookie cutter generalised ads / content.

2. YouTube completely free from recommended videos, profiling.

I just want a home screen that shows channels that I'm subscribed too. I will clean up my subscription list and have it carefully selected.

Or search for tutorials as and when I need them, in a way it doesn't latch onto my search history.

3. An unbiased, very factual, almost robotic source of news / current affairs. Not sure the best place / app to access this ?

Possibly a widget on my phone ?


Any chance i could get some help/guidance purging all the noise?

Not sure if this helps, but I use Firefox with all cookies turned off.

Now if you are logged into YouTube, perhaps use DuckDuckGo or a separate non-Google search engine to avoid it tailoring ads based on your searches or browser history.

For my business/work, I use Chrome with cookies saved because I have a billion usernames/passwords and also don't want to lose important stuff in my history. But having a second browser with no cookies or search history is great for avoiding ads and, heh, doing more private searches lol.