Technolandy

Day 57 (of 2025/26) body doubling…

This week we are going to more broadly launch a live support module for our online learners… body doubling…

What is Body Doubling?

Body doubling is a productivity technique where simply working in the presence of others—physically or virtually—helps a person stay focused, motivated, and on task. It doesn’t require collaboration or constant talking; just knowing someone else is working beside you can provide enough accountability and gentle social pressure to keep momentum going.

For many students, especially those who experience anxiety, ADHD-type challenges, executive functioning struggles, or just plain “I-can’t-start-this-assignment” energy, body doubling can transform overwhelming work into doable work. When someone else is there—whether sitting across the room or quietly on a Teams chat—it’s easier to start, easier to continue, and easier to finish.

Body doubling works because:

• it lowers the psychological barrier to beginning

• it reduces feelings of isolation

• it turns tasks into a shared experience

• it provides ambient accountability without judgement

• it creates a subtle expectation of productivity

• it allows for quick clarification and check-ins

Our upcoming Body Doubling Hours are designed exactly for this:

students can drop in, turn the camera on (or off), sit in the same room as others, and just work. You don’t need to be stuck, you don’t need to socialize, and you don’t need to ask questions—though you can if you want. Show up with something you want to get done, and let the presence of others help you do it.

In other words:

You bring the task.

We bring the space.

And together, the work gets easier.

Body Doubling with an EA – Tuesday & Thursday

Body Doubling with a Principal (me) Wednesday (but I am aware there is some great trepidation for some to be in a principals office… even if it’s a virtual one…

Can’t wait to see how it goes, and check if it is as good for learners as it has been for us adults!