“Okay, see you in 20 minutes,” I say before turning off my Zoom camera, setting my “Time Timer” and getting to work.
For the last several months, my speaker Mastermind has gotten together weekly to check in and get things done. We lovingly call it “Study Hall” but the cool, on-trend word is…
Body Doubling.
Here’s the definition via a quick Google search:
Or here’s a short TikTok explaining it.
@washingtonpost “Body doubling” is more common than you think.
♬ original sound - We are a newspaper.
Here's how my group rolls...
In brief, we spend time checking in with one another before getting down to business and tackling our individual work projects. The idea is to keep one another accountable through parallel work together via Zoom.
And the truth is, it actually helps! As the saying goes, “Misery enjoys company,” so just knowing that someone else is working with you takes some of the sting out of slogging through a “To Do” list.
We are social beings.
So it makes sense that working alongside someone, either in person or virtually, makes the load a bit lighter.
Is it the same as mirroring?
Not exactly.
But they both involve the presence of another person.
From a body language standpoint, mirroring is “when a person unconsciously or knowingly mimics the behavior, speech, and body language of someone else.”
When you body double, you work independently and may or may not mirror one another.
And why does body doubling work?
Here are a few things I have found helpful when body doubling:
1. Have a timekeeper. In our group, one of the members is in charge of tracking the time and giving us a 60-second warning before our time is up. * I also like to set a visual timer to keep me focused. And even with both timekeepers in place, I still often am surprised when the time is up!
2. Have a prepared list of tasks you plan to tackle ready to go. I find it helps if they are items I put off because they are tedious or because I just don’t like the task.
3. Take time to check in with your body double(s) before diving into work. We need to connect to feel like we are doing parallel work.
4. Make it a priority and part of your schedule.
5. Keep the work times short and sweet—20 to 30-minute bursts. Short times keep things manageable. Our group does 2 or 3 sessions within our 1.5-hour scheduled time. This allows for quick questions and camaraderie.
(My * Time Timer * is a great visual for staying on track.)
Now it's your turn!
Have you tried body doubling?
If so:
- Have you found it helpful?
- What have you found to be most effective?
- What tools do you use to be successful?
Your co-pilot (who adores her Mastermind group and their ability to act as an accountability coach! #Grateful),
P.S.
Here’s my cool Mastermind group at one of our quarterly in-person meetings!
P.P.S.
I’d love to learn more about you!
What cool strategies, tips, or tricks work for you?