Body doubling

[RotundBeagle]

I was totally unaware of this until it popped up in my news suggestions and it seems interesting. The premise is that remote workers virtually join each other whilst individually working to sort of mimic the office environment/feel less isolated. Apparently really helpful for those with ADHD.

I don't really like social media (I know this isn't quite the same) and this seems gimmicky on one hand, but as somebody with unmedicated ADHD I've defo found that I wind in my fidgety nature when I'm working amongst others. It's what I call 'library syndrome'.

I'll never try it myself as I gave up my corporate job around five years ago but it sounds interesting, even if I'm cringing a bit about the girl mentioned who dj's to her followers and holds QA sessions. I'm more interested in it's use as a genuine tool than as a platform to harvest followers etc.

Doh, forgot link.

finance.yahoo.com/news/remote-workers-adopting-practice-called-133000615.html

Yeah I have adhd and I find it really helpful.
Currently (when not distracting myself with MN) trying to mark an essay while dp sits playing call of duty quietly in the same room.

I like going and staying with a friend while we both get writing done in the same room too. I'm so much more productive.

That's interesting. I spend a lot of time driving trucks between our sites and kind of do the same thing by talking to other drivers on my Bluetooth earpiece.

Instead of distracting me it actually stops me wandering off into abstract thought whilst piloting a forty ton lump of metal. It's kind of like the modern day CB radio.

Interesting, is this because of WFH (which personally I hate) so now people are isolated? I don't understand all the people on MN who seem like such introverts who WFH all the time and don't even answer the door. They seem almost like recluses, I don't think it's very healthy to be like this, given humans are social creatures

That said, I feel ADHD actually helps rather than hinders my driving because, unless I'm tired, I don't really ever zone out. I'm constantly checking nearside mirror, checking offside mirror, checking rear camera, checking blind spot camera, etc.

I think WFH is a large part of its popularity going by the article. My thoughts are that perhaps it's not really natural to humans to sit at a desk for most of the minutes in an hour, most of the hours in a day, most of the days in a week, most of the weeks in a year, and most of the years in our lives.

I know of a lot of teenagers who video call each other on WhatsApp for hours in their room while they do homework. Its just the company

It works for people with ADHD because it introduces immediate accountability. You are committing to work alongside someone and complete a particular task with them. And they will be there watching you do it while also relying on your presence and engagement to complete the task they need to complete.

It's very similar to using an immediate reward strategy, or having daily check ins with a manager or similar. Immediate rewards or consequences are more motivating for someone with ADHD who struggle with time blindness and have a mind that only understands "now" or "future". Long term goals are always in the future and so are almost impossible to motivate the present.

I've contemplated going back on ADHD meds as Ritalin really helped me as a kid, but it would likely trigger a review into my HGV license by the DVLA as the stimulants show up in drug tests as amphetamine, meaning I'd have to notify my employer etc.

You only have to declare conditions which affect your driving and right now my stance is that I had ADHD as a kid but grew out of it (in reality I learned to adjust to it). Going back on meds would make it a current condition.