Focusmate: The Power of Random Collaboration

Recently, I discovered FocusMate and my productivity really went through the roof. I know I sound like an advertisement, but hear me out, as I think this is a pretty interesting way to work from a coaching/psychological perspective. 

In case you haven’t tried Focusmate, it works like this: 

• You sign up for an account and link your calendar on FocusMate’s aptly minimalist website

• You commit to a start time for a 50-minute work session

• FocusMate quickly assigns you a buddy

• Then, once you show up at your specified time, you and your buddy introduce yourselves and state your goal for the next 50 minutes

• Then you work until you hear the chime and review how you did on your project

• If you enjoy FocusMate, you can do 3 sessions per week for free. If you want more, it’s only $5 per month 

Does that sound revolutionary to you? Me neither.

But wow, I gotta say it really works. 

So now the coach in me is trying to understand why. 

Here are a few theories on why I think working with a randomly selected internet stranger gives me superhero-like productivity:

Supportive Obligation

There is just something about scheduling a time with someone else that makes the commitment more serious. When I block out time on my calendar, I can be pretty squishy about it, allowing for minutes to slip here and there. But when someone else is depending on me showing up, I find it really easy to show up, even if I don’t feel like it. It’s scheduled, therefore I must go!

ADHD Helper

I first learned about FocusMate in an ADHD adult support group. They framed it as a way to help the big four brain chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and adrenaline) occur in the right way. I feel as though I have more at stake when scheduling, meeting, and working with someone else. I also feel like they are depending on me being there. FocusMate has a pretty in-depth article on their site talking about the other brain and social science background upon which their app is based.

Energy Synchronization

Maybe this is a bit woo woo for some, but I find there is a lot of momentum when synchronizing my energy with a group. Why go to a Yoga class if I can just watch a video at home? By synchronizing with another, it feels like I’m tapping into more of a collective effort of working on something important to me.

FOMO Be Gone

If I see someone else working, how can I be the only one missing out? It actually feels as if others (those not in my session) are the ones missing out since we are getting stuff done in an efficient way. Working together somehow makes the work feel more necessary. I guess we are both missing out on something, or not missing out on anything, whichever reframe works for you.

Humane (and Inspiring) Time Increments

Maybe you’ve heard of the Pomodoro timer method. Research shows that working in short sprints with breaks is healthy, but I often find that if I drop into my flow, I can work for a long time before coming up for air. That’s not always a good thing either. Personally, I find the 50-minute time block with a 10-minute break quite ideal. Time for bio break, a healthy snack, and ready for my next hour. 

Here are a couple of projects I completed using FocusMate:

• Created 130-slide marketing for coaches course doing 7 slides per session

• Created several blog posts (one per session)

• Completed a nasty accounting project that I had been putting off (took three sessions)

• Wrote 10+ client notes and practices (1-3 per session depending on complexity)

If you are still reading this and are nervous about trying FocusMate, I get it. The concept of working alongside a stranger was pretty antithetical to who I am. I’m Gen X and am pretty suspicious of social media after all. I’d suggest you just try it once and see what you think.

Let me know in the comments what worked (or didn’t) for you. 

If work isn’t more fun, productive, and/or motivating in that hour than the rest of your day, I’d be surprised. 

See you on Focusmate.