Body Doubling
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Body Doubling
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Re: Body Doubling
#2[flagged]
Re: Body Doubling
#3Re: Body Doubling
#4Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?
Re: Body Doubling
#5Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?
When I was in office, I had a lot of trouble working even though I am most productive while body doubling. The overhead lights, the random interruptions from people that know you or want something from you . . .. After I got to campus, I spend most days down at the coffee shop, or a local cafe or something of that nature.
Being around people, with distractions removed was the key for me. Just me, and my laptop.
As for how common it is? IDK, but I don't see RTO as being the key (might work for some people?).
When I was work from home, I was a lot more productive by myself, however when I found I had a really tough project that I was having trouble starting, a couple hours of body doubling at a local cafe tended to help. I.e., I'm going to the coffee shop for 2 hours to do this one task.
Re: Body Doubling
#6Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?
It’s anecdotally definitely one reason people work in co-working spaces, or even coffee shops and the like.
Some people think these are just used by people who have no quiet space, or no comfortable space, at home - but that’s not the case.
Re: Body Doubling
#7Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?
You don't need the physical presence though. Find another neurospicy person at work and you can do it with them remotely.
Re: Body Doubling
#8Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?
The reasons that managers/execs push for RTO are complex, and sometimes disingenuous and nefarious.
As someone who’s worked remote (and async) and also in big offices, sometimes I see individual workers celebrating RTO for misguided reasons:
1. They use work as a social space
2. They enjoy the break of getting out of their house/from family/partner
3. The ritual of going to and from work as a separate space is helpful
All of these are solvable without mandating RTO, so it is frustrating when workers align themselves with RTO mandates when they could just solve the above.
1. Sometimes people don’t pursue friendships outside their work or family. You should! It is healthy!
2. I sometimes see people not set boundaries during work days, and have their own partners not respect their boundaries (“please don’t come in my office when I’m on a call”). Here, they’re leaning on RTO to set a boundary on their behalf.
3. During WFH in 2020-2021, I set a ritual where I’d go for a walk around the block with a coffee before returning to my small Manhattan apartment. I used Phillips Hues to change the lighting to colder when in work mode.
Offices are a bonus when you live near to them, but mandating their usage is crazy. If workers don’t feel happier and more productive when going into an office, and recognize it as an advantage for them doing work, then execs should recognize that the office is lacking somehow.
Re: Body Doubling
#9Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?
When I was in office, I had a lot of trouble working even though I am most productive while body doubling. The overhead lights, the random interruptions from people that know you or want something from you . . .. After I got to campus, I spend most days down at the coffee shop, or a local cafe or something of that nature. Being around people, with distractions removed was the key for me. Just me, and my laptop. As fo…
Oh man, I work so well in a busy cafe. I'm not sure what quality it is, but being around a bunch of people who aren't bothering me with questions allows me to get into flow.
Re: Body Doubling
#10Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?
The reasons that managers/execs push for RTO are complex, and sometimes disingenuous and nefarious. As someone who’s worked remote (and async) and also in big offices, sometimes I see individual workers celebrating RTO for misguided reasons: 1. They use work as a social space 2. They enjoy the break of getting out of their house/from family/partner 3. The ritual of going to and from work as a separate space is helpfu…
We sometimes decry the lack of "third places", neither home nor work (or school). People go there to be social in more flexible ways. I have imagined opening a coffee shop/art gallery by that name.
Maybe not such a great name now, since the second places are getting murkier. But the need is still there.