Have you ever heard of the concept of “body doubles”? Not a lot of people have. Although gadgets, gizmos and pills are pushed to help someone who struggles with focus, this simple free strategy is often overlooked.
Don’t get this confused with stunt double – a trained person who steps in for an actor in a movie to perform complicated or dangerous moves. A body double for productivity is someone who provides an anchoring presence while silently working beside you, creating an atmosphere of focus.
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Productivity at it’s best
This astoundingly simple technique creates an environment of accountability and motivation. Many of us have probably experienced it, but lacked the understanding to describe what was really going on.
For example, going to the library, or being in a study hall at school – these are environments with an enforced rule of silence. I’m sure you can recall experiencing such a place and time. Not likely, working side-by-side with other people quietly engaged in their own thoughts and projects, sunk you quickly into the work zone.
It isn’t just a strategy for doing homework, or writing. Body doubling is a powerful and effective technique for cleaning, creating, or other hands-on projects. Think of those times when you tried to clean out your garage or basement. Alone, you lacked the motivation, but when another person was in the picture, it became a more enjoyable project.
Obviously, cleaning with a buddy is probably more social than silence. In fact, Judith Kohlberg (mentioned below) refers to this as “social organizing”. It doesn’t matter, if having another person in the room is a game changer, it counts for body doubling in my book.
A body double for productivity is someone who provides an anchoring presence while silently working beside you, creating an atmosphere of focus.
–ReneesRabbitHole.com
Thank you, Judith!
The term ‘body doubling’ was first coined in 1996 by Linda Anderson, an executive productivity coach who later became popular among the ADHD community. In psychology, the phenomenon was observed decades earlier in side-by-side play of children. Ms. Anderson picked up on it as a strategy for her clients. She realized the children were occupied in play longer and the key: more content.
I actually first encountered the term from Judith Kolberg. It was a client who enlightened her about the power of the simple tool. Judith and Linda are colleagues, but it is Judith who authored the book “Conquering Chronic Disorganization“. In my humbled opinion, this book doesn’t get its fair share of credit in the ADD/ADHD community. My personal book review is here.
This was the very first book I ever read targeted to persons of ADD/ADHD tendancies (published in 1998). The funny thing is, ADD/ADHD isn’t even mentioned in it. Chronic disorganization was the issue that spurned the personal coach movement. I just read the title and thought as a stay-at-home mom, I might pick up a tip or two, even if it was targeted at people who had serious issues.
Needless to say, I was shocked that almost every chapter applied to me.
In particular, there is a chapter called Social Organizing: The Body Double. Judith was hired, as an organization coach, to meet with a wealthy woman. When she entered her house, it was beautifully under control, so she was confused why she was needed.
The owner motioned her to sit at a desk, and for the next hour, the woman paid her bills while Judith stuffed them into the return envelopes. She politely and silently participated until one hour was up.
Afterwards, when Judith pressed her for an explanation, the wise woman enlightened her. She said without the presence of others, she was unable to mail and papers. That was it.
Virtual body doubling/Virtual coworking
Enter the Internet. If you feel you need accountability, but don’t have a local person, consider online options.
Many people swear about the effectiveness of online sites that offer the same success as in-person body doubling. In these examples, you agree to log in, and work with someone one-on-one for a set period of time, usually 25 minutes.
Twenty-five minutes is not a random number. It is a chunk of time that has been shown to be effective in the Pomodoro Technique. This is a time management method in which you do focused work during 25-minute intervals — known as pomodoros — and take a five-minute break.
The other person isn’t a coach, their in it for the body doubling benefits as well. These virtual coworking sites claim that success is based on pre-comittment.
Youtube body doubling
Body doubling is just a click away. There are Youtube channels that provide an easy way to get the benefits, anytime you want. Just play a previously recorded session of someone working while you perform your task of choice.
Some creators combine this with ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. This is a tingling sensation, often described as relaxing and pleasurable, that some people experience in response to specific auditory or visual stimuli, such as whispering, tapping, or gentle movements.
The scenario may be more of role-playing where the creator plays the part of a secretary checking mail, or someone shuffling through paperwork.
Some people find ASMR very annoying. I get it. However, there are some aspects, like the paper shuffling and soft talking, that mimics the atmosphere of working quietly side-by-side with others.
Don’t knock it until you try it!
