You’ve been working from home for months now. While you love trading in the long commute for cozy mornings at home, it’s becoming harder and harder to stay productive. Then you decide to spend a day working with a friend at a local coffee shop, and your productivity soars. You start to wonder why. With another person in your space, there’s more room for distraction, right? But there’s also a fascinating psychological reason both of you are more productive — and it’s why your local coworking space might be just what you need to revolutionize your workday!

It’s called body doubling (or the body double effect). Body doubling involves working on a task in front of or with someone else, which can improve your motivation and productivity. The other person doesn’t have to engage with you while you complete the task. They can sit beside you, across from you or near you, headphones in, working on their own project. This person’s presence acts like a subconscious accountability anchor, helping you break through your own mental blocks and mirror their behavior. They are your silent accountability partner.

Body doubling is one of the building blocks of shared third spaces.

Coworking spaces like Cornerstone Coworking naturally encourage body doubling. In our common space, you’re surrounded by collective momentum. You’re working alongside other IT professionals, graphic designers or accountants you may or may not even know. Wherever they are, seeing them work helps you press on through your task and vice versa.

You’re also not stuck with one kind of body doubling. We offer private conference rooms and a variety of table locations. If you need a quieter atmosphere with one or two coworkers or a low hum of coworkers chatting in the background, you can find the perfect location your brain needs to stay alert and productive throughout the day.

Ready to tap into more productivity? Here’s how you can incorporate body doubling into your workday.

Start in our common area.

Here you’ll find coworkers open to networking and collaborating. As you cross paths with other professionals, you find those people who will be great work partners.

Set expectations with your coworkers.

Some days, your work will allow you to carry on a conversation. Other days, it’s time to “lock in.”

Be sure to communicate what work style you need that day so both you and your coworkers can get the most out of your workdays.

You don’t need to navigate remote work alone! Visit Cornerstone Coworking and find your focus.

Why Coworking Works: The Psychology Behind Third Spaces