Feb 1st, 2025

Your Attention Is For Sale

Hey Rebel Reader!,

My wife and I recently moved our bedroom into the basement, where we used to have the guest room, and relocated my office to what was our bedroom. This shift has brought a few unexpected but amazing benefits.

First, I’m no longer spending the majority of my day in the smallest, darkest room in our house which used to be my office.

Second, my phone now lives a flight of stairs and several dozen steps away from my bed, in my new office.

For the past 10 years, I’ve kept my phone in another room at night. But even then, there were mornings when I’d swing by my office on the way to the bathroom and check my phone, sometimes without even thinking about it.

Over time, I started to notice a pattern.

The days I began with my face in my phone felt different from the days I didn’t.

There’s a distinct shift in how I feel when I start my day without new input—when I focus on being present in my own experience or putting thoughts onto paper instead of consuming someone else’s.

And this isn’t just a personal realization—it’s a structural issue.

Our time, energy, and focus are being commodified in ways we’ve been conditioned to accept as normal.

But it’s not normal. It’s new.

This shift has taken hold over the past few decades, accelerating with the rise of social media and smartphones.

The attention economy isn’t just competing for your focus—it’s designed to consume it entirely.

How We Became the Product

Did you know that 71% of smartphone owners sleep with their phone on their nightstand, in their bed, or even in their hand?

Among younger age groups, that number climbs to 90%.

We’re not just talking about habits. We’re talking about behavioral engineering—a trillion-dollar industry designing our daily rhythms, our sleep cycles, and even our ability to focus.

The kicker? We are the commodity.

Your phone isn’t the product. Your attention is.

The more distracted we are, the more profitable we become.

And yet, we call this “convenience.”

What’s the Cost of This Convenience?

Every time we check our phones first thing in the morning, we’re handing over our most valuable mental space to someone else’s agenda.

Instead of checking in with ourselves, we check notifications.
Instead of setting our own priorities, we react to emails.
Instead of starting with intention, we get pulled into the noise.

And at night, we repeat the cycle—scrolling, consuming, stimulating our brains instead of letting them rest.

But what happens when we choose differently?

The Quiet Rebellion: Reclaiming Your Attention

Want to reclaim your focus? Here’s where to start:

- Move your phone across the room at night—friction breaks the habit.
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- Better yet, put it in another room.​
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- Start your mornings with something intentional: reflection, journaling, stretching, or just breathing before scrolling.
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- Replace bedtime scrolling with a book. Your brain will thank you.

These aren’t drastic changes.

But small shifts create big ripple effects.

If this resonates, I wrote an expanded deep dive on this topic in my latest Substack newsletter:

👉 Read the full article: “Hijacked by Dopamine—How Big Tech Got You Addicted to Your Phone and What It’s Costing You”​

Let me know what you think. How are you setting boundaries with technology? What’s worked for you?

In solidarity ✊,
Coach Nicholas Whitaker nicholaswhitaker.com​
Co- Founder changingwork.org​

Why I’m Moving to Substack (And Leaving Meta Products Behind)

For a while now, I’ve been thinking about how and where I share my work.

I’ve built communities, conversations, and connections across various platforms, but I keep coming back to the same question:
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​Who really owns my content, my audience, and my ability to reach them?

With Meta’s platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads), and even on Linkedin, the answer is clear: they do.

Algorithms decide what gets seen.
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Engagement is optimized for dopamine hits, not depth.
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And as someone who values thoughtful, nuanced conversations, and maintaining sovereignty with my attention, I’ve grown tired of shouting into an ecosystem designed to keep people scrolling, not reflecting.

That’s why I’m making Substack my primary platform for long-form writing and deep discussions.

Why Substack?
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✅ No algorithmic gatekeeping—if you subscribe, you get my work directly.
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✅ Better conversations—comments feel more like a discussion, less like a performance.
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✅ Ownership—my audience isn’t rented from a corporation. I can engage directly, without fighting for visibility.
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✅ Long-form over short-term engagement—thoughtful writing > fleeting viral posts.

I’ll still be around on Linkedin, and of course, this mailing list is the best place to be to not miss a thing, but if you really want to stay connected and engage with these longer form ideas beyond the algorithms, Substack is where it’s happening.

📩 If you’re not already subscribed, you can join here:
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​https://coachwithnicholas.substack.com/​
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If you feel generous, you can even join as a paid subscriber to help me spread the word of the Quiet Rebellion.

I’d love to hear from you.
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What platforms feel best to you for real, meaningful conversations?
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Reply to this email and let me know.

Here’s to more intentional, thoughtful spaces online.

A Group Coaching Opportunity for you, Launching March 20th of 2025

If you’re craving more clarity, support, and alignment in your work and life, this is for you.

My Changingwork.org Co-Founder Scott Shute and I are launching a new Group Coaching Program designed for professionals who are ready to stop going through the motions and start building something that truly fits.

This isn’t just another coaching program...it’s a structured journey designed to provide deep personal insight, community support, and real transformation over time.

What You’ll Get:

✔ Monthly Deep-Dive Sessions – Live talks, group discussions, and hands-on coaching with Scott and me, as well a curation of guest speakers.
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✔ Small Group Cohorts – Trusted facilitators guiding intimate groups for deeper connection and real accountability.
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✔ Ongoing Community Support – A dedicated online space with exclusive content, resources, and connection between sessions.

Who Is This For?

This program is for you if you’re ready to:
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✨ Build resilience and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and calm.
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✨ Break out of autopilot mode and start aligning your work with what actually matters.
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✨ Be part of a group of like-hearted professionals who support, challenge, and inspire each other.

At $99/month, this program includes full access to the Changing Work Collective ($39/month value).

📌 If this resonates, click below to express your interest.

At just $99/month, this program includes full access to the Changing Work Collective ($39/month value).

If this resonates with you, click below to express your interest.
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👉 [Express your interest today!] No commitment required yet, just let us know you’re curious.

Our Next Book Leading With Compassion Cultivating Connection From The Inside Out is launching on Valentine's Day Feb 14th!

This collection is a testament to the power of compassion in leadership and the profound belief that true connection begins from within.
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Each chapter offers a unique perspective from leaders who have embraced self-awareness and compassion to transform their relationships, workplaces, and communities.

With a foreword by Derek Lewis, former President of PepsiCo, this book brings together wisdom from a diverse group of professionals committed to redefining leadership through human connection, authenticity, and intentionality.

💡 We need your help to make this launch a success!

By joining our Launch Team, you’ll help us bring this message to a wider audience and hopefully get us on another Amazon best seller list, like our first book, Leading With Self Awareness.
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Here’s how you can support:

✅ Buy an ebook copy on Launch day! One of the most helpful things you can do to support us, is to purchase a copy of the ebook on launch day. It's only $3.99
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✅ Help spread the word by sharing the book with your network or leaving a review.
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✅ Be part of a movement to bring more consciousness and compassion into workplaces and join us at changingwork.org​

Interested?
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Just reply to this email, and I’ll add you to a calendar invite for launch day so we can coordinate efforts!

📌 Every share, review, and mention helps get this book into the hands of people who need it most.

Thank you for your support—I can’t wait to celebrate this launch with you!

👉 Reply to this email to join the launch team!

​Navigating Workplace Overwhelm | Amy Luckey - Founder @ Amy Luckey Coaching​

Join host Nicholas Whitaker and Amy Luckey, Founder at Amy Luckey Coaching + Consulting as they explore the nuances of leadership and the silent burden of grief in the workplace.

Amy shares her experiences working with organizational leaders, particularly those managing complex personal and professional identities, and discusses the impact of performance metrics and AI on workplace wellbeing. Their conversation also delves into how leaders can embrace their humanity, the importance of processing grief, and actionable steps for fostering a compassionate work culture despite systemic pressures.

Client Testimonial

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Check out my testimonials from other happy clients here 👈

Ready for more? Here are 3 ways we can work together

1. ​Download my free workbooks to help make sense of yourself and the world around you in uncertain times
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2. ​Apply for a call and explore how 1:1 coaching can help you live a conscious and intentional life
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3. ​Join the Changing Work Collective and be a part of the movement to change work from the inside out.

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