Focusmate

Focusmate is a site that offers matching for body-doubling via video calls, to help people get focused work sessions done.

What can I beemind with Focusmate?

Right now, the integration just tracks the number of sessions you start on time.

We do have a beta for those who'd like to test a goal that tracks the number of minutes you spend in Focusmate sessions (so e.g. for a 25 minute session, it will log 00:25; for a 50 minute session, 00:50). Get in touch with support if you're interested; anyone can join the beta, so we won't say no!

Can I track sessions that are only about a specific thing?

Not yet! Focusmate doesn't yet have a method available for us to check the title of the session, or a method of tagging sessions, but we hope this feature can be added in future.

I didn't complete a session that got synced to Beeminder. Can I delete it from my graph?

Not right away! We stay in sync with Focusmate for a week, so if it still appears in their API output, it'll resync to your graph the next time we check for data. If you really want to delete a session that you didn't complete, you can do so after a week has passed.

Be careful about deleting past sessions, though! It will lower your cumulative total data, which can derail you if you haven't stayed on track without that datapoint.

Do you import any past data when I create a new Focusmate graph?

We import your number of past sessions, so if you've completed 279 sessions in the past, the y-axis will start at 279, and your initial datapoint will say 279. You don't get any credit toward your goal from those sessions, though: it just starts out the count at the correct point!

Example graph showing a Focusmate-linked goal, where the y-axis starts at 279 (reflecting all past sessions).

Focusmate sample goal setup

  1. Head to create a new goal (also accessible through the New Goal link in the top menu).
  2. Click the Focusmate icon to start a new goal using Focusmate data.
  3. Click the button to connect with Focusmate, to allow Beeminder to fetch your Focusmate data.

    Screenshot showing the Beeminder and Focusmate logos, plus a button saying "Connect to Focusmate"
  4. You'll arrive at a Focusmate page asking you to give us permissions. Go ahead and click "Allow"!

    Screenshot of the authentication page to give Beeminder access to your Focusmate data. It tells you that giving access will allow access to your email address and profile info, and your session and partner history. There is an "allow" button to go ahead and give access, and a "cancel" button if you change your mind.
  5. Now it's time to enter the amount you want to commit to. Here I'm committing to doing 1 sessions per day I've also selected the option to "Start this goal with extra leeway", so that I don't need to start immediately. I've given myself four days of buffer, and that gives me four days before I need to do my first session.

    Screenshot of goal setup. At the top, Beeminder and Focusmate's logos are displayed, and below that it says "I pledge to complete", with a box to add the number of sessions per day. Below that, there's a checkbox to add extra leeway, which optionally opens another section where you can select how much leeway you want to have

  6. Next, you need to give your goal a name, and you can also add a brief goal description.

    Shows the "Give your goal a name" page, with "focusmatesessions" entered in the first box, showing how it creates the goal's URL. Below there's a box with the description entered, saying "1 session a day!"
  7. Finally, choose your initial pledge. This is the amount you will pay the first time you derail on the goal. After derailing, the pledge will increase by default — use the checkbox and +/- stepper below to control how high it goes. In the example below, I have chosen to start at a $5 pledge, which will increase each time I derail, until it reaches $270 — the pledge cap. (To read more about pledges and payments, check out some FAQs!)

    Screenshot of the "Pledge your money" screen, showing the starting stakes (choosing between $0 and $5 using radio buttons). The text below that says "Your pledge will increase each time you derail until you reach your pledge cap", with a demonstration below showing the pledge progression: 5, 10, 30, 90... to the pledge cap, which is a set of stepper buttons currently showing $270.
  8. And that's it! Step through the preview and confirmation screens, and your graph will be created. I have four days to do my first session, or I'll have to pay $5!

    Screenshot of an example graph for Focusmate, showing that +1 session is due in 4 days


Keywords: autodata integrations, productivity, co-working, body doubling

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