So many lines in this post where I was nodding along. I relate on so many levels, Jacob. The performative persona…gives me the ick. I stopped dancing for IG, performing for LI and just said f-off to FB. Deep down we just want real connection with ourselves and those around us. Thanks for saying the quiet part out loud. 💜
Also a former CEO that shut the company down from lack of alignment—instead of selling it. Sounds like you and I will get along just fine. Thank you for commenting.
Masochist. Hi, it’s me…I’m the problem, it’s me. The weight of being where the buck stops and the payroll starts is scarier than when I was in the OR literally responsible for ensuring a person continued to breathe.
After 2 weeks, I have no regrets. Clarity around my life and family has improved as well. It feels like I’m right where I need to be and there isn’t a huge rush to get “more” — I like that.
Really enjoyed reading this, Jacob. I've been thinking a lot about LinkedIn and some of the insanity I've been seeing on it. When you talk about people dismantling their careers, it really captured the thoughts I've been having when I come across a post with 250 comments of people bickering about something that doesn't ultimately matter.
My second job before going to college was working at home depot, in the garden aisle :)
I hear what you're saying. I'm a Silicon Valley refugee living in Oregon. I also quit LinkedIn - the platform is terrible - 99% of every connection request is a shart. Three personal contacts and WOM yielded millions and a healthy 25-year business.
Amen brother. Best use of shart I’ve heard in a long time.
I can attribute ~80% of my business to a single person. I reckon that can be dangerous, but it’s all collectively grown from there — into hundreds of advocates.
Really enjoyed this read - thank you for your honestly and reflection. LinkedIn is a pretty dark place that masks as a land of opportunity and connection - I see its value to your point about people trying to build their brand and expertise - I just wish there was a more clear way to exist professionally other than IRL (which is of course the most valuable)
All social media is ripe for disruption. I’m not looking for an alternative, but the growing popularity to move more analog in our experiences is encouraging. Perhaps AI will force our hand anyway.
All of social--including Substack--is performance art, fundamentally. With Substack there can be some immediate monetary exchange, by way of subscribers, but largely Notes (Lives etc.) are hours we spend working *for* the platform...not necessarily it for us. I'm not sure the solution--how we go about getting our voices out there, in world were that seems dependent on these platforms. BUT! I agree with your point about real-relationships being the point. In reclaiming our time (offline) we can (re)build a more solid network. Appreciate this message from a person with your vantage point.
I didn’t realize how creatively constipated I was on LinkedIn until I can to Substack and felt I could finally write freely without it needing to be”fit LinkedIn” - be it the topic being business specific or the format of the post being written a formulated way. I would certainty not use the word “constipated” on my LinkedIn posts either 😂
Im in the midst of figuring out what my relationship to the platform is now. It’s the easiest place to invite people to in person networking events I host. But I can’t say outreach and posting have generated business as much as referrals and people I’ve met off of LinkedIn 🤷🏻♀️ Thanks for sharing ✨
Really fascinating article. I think many of us - myself certainly - share your hatred of LinkedIn. I'm not yet there to delete it - I wish I could but it isn't the right time. But I respect your decision and particularly support your ask not to bet against your resolve. Whatever is right for you at this moment in time - you do. Nothing is forever.
Your story is a perfect cautionary tale for anyone still treating LinkedIn like it's 2012. What hit hardest was the revenue audit. 80% energy on a platform driving 0% revenue is the kind of math that sneaks up on you. Deleting takes guts, especially after building so much on it. Bravo
As someone who just realized a) linkedin is my second longest subscription relationship (netflix is #1), and b) how little value I get from the platform now that it has become FB/Insta 2019, this article resonated with me. But I feel trapped by my "professional" subscription and the networking outreach opportunities it promises me (even though the realities are not as good). So much to think about here!
Thank you for writing this Jacob! So many feels. Also, being a parent is such a transformative experience that i love that you hit this realization after having your son..."Reclaiming my attention isn’t just about deleting an app—it’s about admitting I can’t win a war against an algorithm while trying to be a present father." As an aside, I write a newsletter called Decks and Diapers where I feature women and men navigating the dual ambitions of professional success and personal fulfillment. Would love to feature you on i, if you would be interested - https://decksanddiapers.substack.com/
Thank you for such an honest, grounded piece — it put words to the discomfort I’ve felt with LinkedIn culture since the very start of my career. Reading something so genuinely soul‑to‑soul is rare. This is exactly why I’m on Substack now. And Forbes 30 Under 30 is my personal nemesis; it celebrates so many of the harmful engines of hustle culture. It’s time to frame it as irrelevant, IMHO.
Thank you for writing this! It’s been on my mind for a while now and you’ve put words to a lot of what I’ve been feeling about LinkedIn. Earlier this year, when LinkedIn launched its new ad campaign “The network that works for you,” it struck a chord with me because it gives users the impression that as long as they stay active enough on the platform, it will do the work for them and that’s the last thing we need after these sites and the smart phone have given way to the “anxious generation.” As a father of two small children myself, I’m now rethinking how big of a role I’m willing to let it play for me in my career efforts.
So many lines in this post where I was nodding along. I relate on so many levels, Jacob. The performative persona…gives me the ick. I stopped dancing for IG, performing for LI and just said f-off to FB. Deep down we just want real connection with ourselves and those around us. Thanks for saying the quiet part out loud. 💜
Also a former CEO that shut the company down from lack of alignment—instead of selling it. Sounds like you and I will get along just fine. Thank you for commenting.
Absolutely - 100% here to support the others saying the quiet parts out loud.
Anyone who wants to be a CEO — probably isn’t qualified or perhaps doesn’t understand it — or may be a masochist.
Masochist. Hi, it’s me…I’m the problem, it’s me. The weight of being where the buck stops and the payroll starts is scarier than when I was in the OR literally responsible for ensuring a person continued to breathe.
This hits me in the soul. And nice Tay Tay reference.
Thanks for noticing. 😉
Beautiful
Passionate read. Spending more time being present with your kids and family is priceless. Time just keeps ticking.
After 2 weeks, I have no regrets. Clarity around my life and family has improved as well. It feels like I’m right where I need to be and there isn’t a huge rush to get “more” — I like that.
Really enjoyed reading this, Jacob. I've been thinking a lot about LinkedIn and some of the insanity I've been seeing on it. When you talk about people dismantling their careers, it really captured the thoughts I've been having when I come across a post with 250 comments of people bickering about something that doesn't ultimately matter.
My second job before going to college was working at home depot, in the garden aisle :)
We both stocked chicken sh*t! We’re forever brothers!
I hear what you're saying. I'm a Silicon Valley refugee living in Oregon. I also quit LinkedIn - the platform is terrible - 99% of every connection request is a shart. Three personal contacts and WOM yielded millions and a healthy 25-year business.
Amen brother. Best use of shart I’ve heard in a long time.
I can attribute ~80% of my business to a single person. I reckon that can be dangerous, but it’s all collectively grown from there — into hundreds of advocates.
Enjoy Oregon, it’s high quality living.
Really enjoyed this read - thank you for your honestly and reflection. LinkedIn is a pretty dark place that masks as a land of opportunity and connection - I see its value to your point about people trying to build their brand and expertise - I just wish there was a more clear way to exist professionally other than IRL (which is of course the most valuable)
We are existing in the mess we’ve made.
Thanks again for the share!
All social media is ripe for disruption. I’m not looking for an alternative, but the growing popularity to move more analog in our experiences is encouraging. Perhaps AI will force our hand anyway.
I am excited for snail mail to make its way back into the zeitgeist again 📫✉️
We just want connection more than ever now - it’s exciting to think of what that could look like.
Whoever brings back Blockbuster and Tous R Us in all its glory will make my day. It’s about the experience more than the convenience.
All my kids got a hand written letter from me this Christmas.
All of social--including Substack--is performance art, fundamentally. With Substack there can be some immediate monetary exchange, by way of subscribers, but largely Notes (Lives etc.) are hours we spend working *for* the platform...not necessarily it for us. I'm not sure the solution--how we go about getting our voices out there, in world were that seems dependent on these platforms. BUT! I agree with your point about real-relationships being the point. In reclaiming our time (offline) we can (re)build a more solid network. Appreciate this message from a person with your vantage point.
I’m open to a better way — but not looking for it necessarily
I didn’t realize how creatively constipated I was on LinkedIn until I can to Substack and felt I could finally write freely without it needing to be”fit LinkedIn” - be it the topic being business specific or the format of the post being written a formulated way. I would certainty not use the word “constipated” on my LinkedIn posts either 😂
Im in the midst of figuring out what my relationship to the platform is now. It’s the easiest place to invite people to in person networking events I host. But I can’t say outreach and posting have generated business as much as referrals and people I’ve met off of LinkedIn 🤷🏻♀️ Thanks for sharing ✨
Creative constipation should be trademarked 😂 “Substack, getting your creative blockade moving…”
How freeing 🥲
Really fascinating article. I think many of us - myself certainly - share your hatred of LinkedIn. I'm not yet there to delete it - I wish I could but it isn't the right time. But I respect your decision and particularly support your ask not to bet against your resolve. Whatever is right for you at this moment in time - you do. Nothing is forever.
Plenty is forever. Thank you for not betting against my resolve.
Your story is a perfect cautionary tale for anyone still treating LinkedIn like it's 2012. What hit hardest was the revenue audit. 80% energy on a platform driving 0% revenue is the kind of math that sneaks up on you. Deleting takes guts, especially after building so much on it. Bravo
As someone who just realized a) linkedin is my second longest subscription relationship (netflix is #1), and b) how little value I get from the platform now that it has become FB/Insta 2019, this article resonated with me. But I feel trapped by my "professional" subscription and the networking outreach opportunities it promises me (even though the realities are not as good). So much to think about here!
Curious… What networking opportunities turned into wins for you that can be attributed to LinkedIn?
How many? When was the last one? Why?
Brutally good !
Very kind comment to read. Thank you, Mat.
Hi Jacob. Your post encouraged me to share my own experience. Thank you.
Thank you. 🙏
Thank you for writing this Jacob! So many feels. Also, being a parent is such a transformative experience that i love that you hit this realization after having your son..."Reclaiming my attention isn’t just about deleting an app—it’s about admitting I can’t win a war against an algorithm while trying to be a present father." As an aside, I write a newsletter called Decks and Diapers where I feature women and men navigating the dual ambitions of professional success and personal fulfillment. Would love to feature you on i, if you would be interested - https://decksanddiapers.substack.com/
Thank you for such an honest, grounded piece — it put words to the discomfort I’ve felt with LinkedIn culture since the very start of my career. Reading something so genuinely soul‑to‑soul is rare. This is exactly why I’m on Substack now. And Forbes 30 Under 30 is my personal nemesis; it celebrates so many of the harmful engines of hustle culture. It’s time to frame it as irrelevant, IMHO.
It's a pitch, and a good one. Look after that family.
Thank you for writing this! It’s been on my mind for a while now and you’ve put words to a lot of what I’ve been feeling about LinkedIn. Earlier this year, when LinkedIn launched its new ad campaign “The network that works for you,” it struck a chord with me because it gives users the impression that as long as they stay active enough on the platform, it will do the work for them and that’s the last thing we need after these sites and the smart phone have given way to the “anxious generation.” As a father of two small children myself, I’m now rethinking how big of a role I’m willing to let it play for me in my career efforts.
Keep me posted on what you decided and what you learn from it. I’m curious