Keynote 01: Opal's Year in Focus, 2024

As we close 2024, I had the privilege of delivering a keynote to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re heading at Opal. I’m sharing some key takeaways here. If you’d like to watch the full keynote, you can find it on our YouTube channel.

The Crisis of Focus

Let’s face it—focus is a challenge for all of us. We spend so much of our time in front of screens, often on apps designed to distract us. This has led to two crises:

• A mental health crisis: Rising anxiety, sleep problems, and loneliness.
• A productivity crisis: Constant interruptions and context switching cost the U.S. economy over $1 trillion annually, with 26% of work hours lost to distraction.

While governments are starting to act, progress is slow. That’s why at Opal, we’re committed to helping people regain control of their focus—right now.

What We Achieved in 2024

At Opal, our mission is simple: to help people focus better. And this year, I’m proud to share the incredible impact we’ve made together:

• 500,000 daily active users (up from 100,000 last year).
• Over 100,000 Pro subscribers.
• 150 million hours of screen time saved. That’s time reclaimed for creativity, connection, and meaningful work.

I’ve been deeply moved by the stories you’ve shared with us:

• Michael told me how his teenage son transformed his habits with Opal and rebuilt their father-son bond.
• Rachel, an artist with ADHD, completed her album thanks to Opal.
• Jasmine, a Harvard student, said Opal was instrumental in her academic success.

We've received over 70,000 ratings on the App Store, with thousands of reviews.

Making Focus Rewarding in 2024

This year, we’ve launched several features to make focusing easier and more delightful:

• Focus Gems: Celebrate your efforts to focus.
• App Locks: Set limits on app usage, making every unlock a conscious decision.
• Waiting Screens: Gentle nudges that add friction to distractions.
• Language Expansion: We’re now available in French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Mac App: Bringing focus to desktops with powerful tools.

We also partnered with schools like Harvard and UCLA to introduce focus as a life-changing skill for students.

Looking Ahead to 2025

This is just the beginning. Here’s what’s next for Opal:

1. Making Focus Rewarding: We’ll enhance rewards, Gems, and metrics to inspire progress and commitment.
2. AI-Powered Coaching: Personalized insights and guidance to align technology use with your unique goals.
3. Expanding Platforms: A fully-featured Mac experience, Android launch, and global language support.
4. Educational Partnerships: Scaling our impact with more schools and institutions.

Join Us

As I said in my keynote, we’re at a tipping point—a moment where humanity can shape technology instead of being shaped by it. Opal is already helping millions reclaim their focus, and together, we can grow this community to billions.

Here’s how you can help:

• Share Opal with your friends, family, and colleagues. It’s free forever.
• Subscribe to support our mission and unlock premium tools.
• Get free stickers as a conversation starter about focus.

Let’s make 2025 the year we reclaim our focus and reshape our relationship with technology. Watch the full keynote here. Thank you for being part of this journey with me!

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