Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Body Doubling

bodydoubling.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–80 of 86 posts

Re: Body Doubling

#71

Post by [deleted] »

unplug8224 wrote: post #44
batch12 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure where your question is headed. Mine was a reply to the parent which focused on difficult tasks.

People with ADHD experience find it more difficult to choose doing mundane tasks when a more stimulating option is present. Additionally, they are more likely to employ unhealthy coping strategies like avoidance when faced with a chore that is associated with negative emotions. This can cascade into a cycle of feeling like a failure for lack of motivation causing further demotivation. So the difficulty isn't in the t…

[deleted]

Re: Body Doubling

#72

Post by 0xbadcafebee »

You don't necessarily need the person to be there. My house is never cleaner than after I've been on the phone with a friend. My mind shuts off, my body does all the chores I've been procrastinating, while my friend does her art, and we both catch up on life.

Comparatively, working in a coffee shop does not make me get more work done, I just feel better.

Re: Body Doubling

#73

Post by kube-system »

jethro_tell wrote: post #5
kubb wrote: post #4

Is 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…

Yeah, being in an office is only helpful if people you are working with understand and respect your desire to focus.

Re: Body Doubling

#77

Post by nmstoker »

conductr wrote: post #42
kubb wrote: post #4

Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?

I feel like I'm opposite of this camp or have some excessive attention disorder but not on the spectrum or anything either. I just can't focus at all in this situation, can't work in coffeeshops, could never study in libraries, can't multitask/read/study/create/etc if the TV or radio is on. My brain is kind of single threaded. I don't even like using productivity tools or todo apps beyond just listing things at a hig…

I'm just like this too - you end up aware of all sorts of things you definitely don't want to know/care about in the environment, be it a coffeeshop, library, office space etc.

Re: Body Doubling

#78

Post by tetris11 »

I used to get more done within an hour on the sofa next to my ex watching her shows, than I did in the four hours preceding it at my desk.

As a single guy now, I have the "leisure" to stretch my work hours far longer into the night and I get just as much done as when I was with her.

Re: Body Doubling

#79

Post by cratermoon »

kubb wrote: post #4

Is this common? Maybe that's one of the reasons that people push for RTO, they can't work alone?

Nope, not with today's open plan offices. Body doubling works because both people involved are aware of support each other's intention and focus. At work you're all there for the same reason, broadly speaking, but you may have radically different and conflicting tasks. There's no way everyone can be fully accommodating of everyone else's needs. Plus, the environment is some unpleasant aggregate of barely tolerable for everyone: noise levels, temperature, lighting, ergonomics.

Want me back in the office? Give me an office, with one, maybe two, office mates that I get along with. A door I (we) can close when needed.

Re: Body Doubling

#80

Post by cratermoon »

escapecharacter wrote: post #8
kubb wrote: post #4

Is 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…

I wouldn't say "the break of getting out of their house/from family/partner" is misguided. I remember during COVID wfh, my co-workers with spouses and kids were not at all happy having all those people together all day, trying to accomplish tasks on different schedules and needs for quiet or collaboration. Add to that most of them didn't have a set up for two adults to work in one office space, and all of them trying to share the home internet.
Post reply on HN