Used By It: Taking Back Control of Your Tech
All the tips, plus the video replay (for a limited time)
No fear. Just ownership. Episode 15 flipped the script on tech overwhelm. We covered the four things technology quietly takes from you. Then we took them back.
I also showed how AI has changed the workflow behind the scenes. I now record client sessions, transcribe them, and ask AI to analyze patterns across months. It turns hours of notes into actionable insights in minutes. Check out the highlights below
🎥The Video Replay (available for a limited time)
Autogenerated English subtitles are available
Key takeaways - your TL;DR checklist
Record and transcribe sessions for faster analysis
Turn off non-essential notifications on your phone
Use virtual cards for subscriptions and cancel easily
Uninstall McAfee and use Windows Defender
Turn off the computer if you see a fake lock screen
Use a password vault and establish a family code word
Solve one small tech problem per day
Request the free Field Guide for common troubleshooting
Tools and links mentioned
Windows Defender (built into Windows)
Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai
Claude: https://claude.ai
Mr. Poo's Sandbox: https://ipoopmypants.com/
California Drop Act (for data broker opt-out) https://consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov/
🔥Free resources - Get them while they’re hot! 🔥
🤖 AI workflow: recording, transcribing, and analyzing
What we discussed: I now record client sessions (with permission), transcribe them, and dump the text into AI. I ask it to generate client notes and analyze patterns across months. This reveals recurring issues I might miss manually. AI also builds decks, writes code, and creates games based on simple prompts.
Why it matters:
AI is no longer just for chat. It is for analysis and automation. We no longer are relying on complex system prompts, but describing detailed OUTCOMES and letting the models work.
What you can do:
Record sessions and transcribe them for faster note-taking
Ask AI to analyze patterns across multiple documents
Use AI to automate repetitive tasks like merging files
Review AI output before deploying code or scripts
📱 Attention: the notification trap
What we discussed: Your phone is an attention engine. Facebook alone has over 30 notification settings you can turn off. Default settings are designed to ping you constantly. Every ping breaks your train of thought and adds cognitive load. The goal is not zero notifications. It is ruthless curation.
Why it matters:
Constant pinging keeps you reactive instead of proactive.
What you can do:
Go into Settings and turn off non-essential notifications
Long-press notifications on Android to disable per app
Keep text messages but disable social media pings
Ask yourself at day's end what you paid attention to
💰 Money: subscriptions and antivirus theater
What we discussed: People forget subscriptions and get billed months later. Use Privacy.com or similar tools to create fake credit cards for each subscription. Cancel easily by turning off the card. Also, most people do not need paid antivirus. Windows Defender is sufficient for most users. McAfee is often pre-installed bloatware.
Why it matters:
Companies count on you forgetting to cancel.
What you can do:
Audit your subscriptions monthly
Use virtual cards for online subscriptions
Uninstall McAfee and use Windows Defender
Check Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon for active subscriptions
🔒 Trust: scams, voice cloning, and passwords
What we discussed: Fake pop-ups claiming your computer is locked are browser tricks. Turn off the computer if you see one. Voice cloning is getting better but still has telltale inflection issues. Use a password vault. Never click urgent links in emails. Go to the website directly. Set up a family code word for verification.
Why it matters:
Scams rely on urgency and fear.
What you can do:
Turn off the computer if you see a fake lock screen
Use a password vault for unique passwords
Verify urgent requests by calling directly
Establish a family code word for sensitive requests
🧘 Peace: inbox zero and one problem at a time
What we discussed: Overwhelm comes from trying to solve everything at once. Pick one problem daily. Unsubscribe from one email list. Clean one folder. I use a Most Important Things list with no more than five items. Everything else goes into a later quadrant. Ruthlessly curate your news sources.
Why it matters:
Small wins build momentum and reduce stress.
What you can do:
Unsubscribe from one email list per day
Limit your daily to-do list to five key items
Pick two or three trusted news sources only
Solve one small tech problem before moving on
🛠️ AI building things: decks, code, and games
What we discussed: I had AI build this presentation deck. I also had it write a program to merge text files automatically. It even built a Mr. Pooh Scam Detector game where you decide if messages are real or fake. AI can now write code, build games, and generate Presidential Daily Briefs from multiple news sources in minutes.
Why it matters:
AI is shifting from chat to creation.
What you can do:
Ask AI to automate repetitive computer tasks
Use AI to generate reports from multiple sources
Experiment with AI building simple games or tools
Always test AI-generated code before using it
📘 The Field Guide: free resource for clients
What we discussed: I created a Field Guide based on 15 hours of anonymized client notes. It covers recurring problems like locked accounts, password breaches, and inbox cleanup. This guide represents thousands of dollars of consulting. I am giving it away free to help people take control.
Why it matters:
You do not have to figure this out alone.
What you can do:
Email me to request a copy of the Field Guide
Use it to troubleshoot common tech issues
Share it with friends who need tech support
Let me know what topics you want covered next
Wildcard Wednesday returns next month
Wildcard Wednesday returns for the final summer episode at the end of August. Stay tuned for updates!
You never know what we’ll get into next. But you will walk away smarter.
👉 Got a topic or question you want to bring up next time? Just reply and let me know.
In the meantime, if you need a hand or want to explore any of these topics further, you know where to reach me. 😉
Founder, Principle Life Pontificator
