Hey there,
A couple of small updates: this newsletter is going monthly and we’re simplifying the name to The Make Time Newsletter. I’ll always consider us all Time Dorks at heart. 🤓
Also, the next application window for The Inner Operating System opens today, June 25th. It’s my program for driven professionals who feel stressed, scattered, and stretched thin, and are ready to feel more focused, present, and in control. More on that at the end.
Now, onto something I’ve been meaning to write about for a while.
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Something to Try: Virtual Coworking
I filed my US taxes last week. Expats get an automatic extension, so technically I was on time, but honestly, I left it until the very last minute.
What finally got me moving? A virtual coworking session.
I hopped on a Zoom call with a total stranger, we shared our plans for the session, and then got to work. 75 minutes later my accountant had everything he needed to file. A project I had put off for weeks, done in just over an hour.
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I first came across virtual coworking after leaving Google. I loved the freedom of working for myself, but I quickly realized I’d taken the structure and accountability of a team for granted. The pandemic hit two weeks into my new life as an entrepreneur, and suddenly I was stuck at home with no colleagues, no commute, and a lot of unstructured time.
Without the deadlines, OKRs, and weekly 1:1’s with my manager, I discovered I had to build a new structure for myself. Planning my week was one piece, but building the rhythm of focus was another. I went back to my favorite Make Time tactics — choosing a Highlight, blocking my distraction kryptonite, taking breaks without screens — and it wasn’t enough.
That’s how I found myself in my first Focusmate session.
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The concept is simple: you join a live video call and work alongside other people, in parallel, in silence. Some platforms pair you 1:1, others run more like a fitness studio with a schedule of facilitated group sessions throughout the day. You show up, state your goal, do the work, and check back in at the end.
It might sound silly, but it really works.
It reminds me of a technique Jake and JZ describe in Sprint: “working together, alone,” where people work quietly as individuals in a team setting to boost creativity and avoid groupthink. The context is different, but the underlying magic is similar. Working on hard problems alongside other people sharpens your focus and commitment in a way you don’t always get working alone.
Virtual coworking brings that same principle into your daily life. Instead of spending the day in the shallows of busy work, you commit to a specific time where you show up and put your attention to work.
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A lot’s happening under the hood from a psychological and behavioral perspective, but two things stand out to me.
The first is body-doubling — simply having another person present while you work. This idea has gained a lot of traction in neurodivergent communities, and I’ve found it works really well, not just for me, but for the majority of my clients too.
The second is precommitment — making a specific, concrete plan in advance. Turns out just telling someone what you’re about to do makes you dramatically more likely to do it.
Together, they create just enough low-grade social pressure to get the thing done, without the stress of a looming deadline.
I also came to appreciate the built-in rhythm. Each session ends with a natural stopping point, which reminds me to take a real break I might otherwise skip. Plus, you normally take a moment at the end to check back with your partner and acknowledge what you’ve done. This small action often leaves me feeling very fulfilled, and it’s something I don’t do enough when I’m working alone.
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I’ve been doing this on-and-off for six years now, and have seen the concept grow in popularity. As our attention spans get squeezed from every direction, I think we’re only at the beginning. Just like fitness studios emerged when people wanted more support with physical health, I think we’ll see more “focus studios” as people want the same for their mental fitness.
If this piqued your curiosity, book one session this week. Use it for the task you’ve been avoiding the longest. Here are two platforms I’ve been using:
- Focusmate pairs you 1:1 for a 25, 50, or 75-minute session. It’s simple and straightforward.
- FLOWN runs facilitated group sessions if you want a bit more structure and community, plus a drop-in option for more casual coworking.
Both have free tiers so you can try before you buy (and I’m not affiliated with either).
Let me know if you’ve tried virtual coworking, or if this inspires you to give it a go.
Until next time,
Connor
P.S. Building a sustainable rhythm of focus and rest is a core principle inside The Inner Operating System. If you feel like your attention is constantly being pulled in different directions and you’re ready for a steadier mind and a greater sense of intention, this program might be for you. The next application window opens today. Book a discovery call to see if it’s a fit.
