Day 139: The Paths Ahead

product

When I think about major areas for improvement in Intention, here’s what comes to mind:

  • Focus mode
  • Stats
  • Syncing

Focus mode

Focus mode would allow users to be explicit about their periods of focus. For example, if I start focus mode for 25 minutes, I wouldn’t be able to access distracting sites during that period without canceling focus mode. If I complete it successfully, I’d add 25 minutes to my focused time; if I end it early, I’d add nothing. This would allow people to design periods for deep work where they don’t want to access distracting sites at all.

I originally planned on creating a social feature around focus mode where you can either have a leaderboard or simply share what you’re currently focused on, but I don’t think it’s actually worth it.

Stats

Right now, Intention shows usage data like this:

There’s some data not being shown (unlocks, visits), and it’d be neat to add views that display change over time.

Syncing

Users who own multiple devices have been asking for a way to sync their data. I understand why, but I’m honestly not too thrilled about this because it requires creating a backend and storing people’s browsing data, which I’d rather avoid.

But beyond these changes, then what? I see two paths:

  • Focus on marketing
  • Build a mobile app

I’m not sure which I want to go with. The marketing route sounds appealing because it’ll give me a chance to think and write about mindfulness and productivity.

The mobile app also sounds appealing because there aren’t great solutions on mobile, and I want to give it finally give it a shot.

Right now, I’m leaning towards building focus mode and then going into building a mobile app. I mean it’d be ideal if I could balance development and marketing, but I’m coming to terms with the fact that I don’t work well that way. I’m pretty single-minded and I’d find it much easier to go fully in one direction rather than try to do both. (And if I try to do both, I know that development will win out and I’d actually spend no time marketing.)

But given that Intention on desktop is solid, maybe I should invest in marketing before going into another long phase of development?

Bleh. I don’t know. I feel like I’ve been debating this question for ages now, but I don’t feel any closer to reaching conviction. I think I just need to choose one and commit. But which one?