Ep. 166 - Productivity Power: Give Your Brain a Buddy

Some days, the hardest part of doing is just getting started. That's where body doubling comes in. In this episode, we talk about how partnering with others (even if they don’t know they’re helping) can quietly boost our focus, energy, and follow-through.  Because sometimes the best productivity hack… is just not being alone with your to-do list. 

Transcript

In recent episodes, we’ve been exploring how going slower can help you go further, faster. Today, we’re going to explore more on the benefits of having partners in productivity.

This isn’t just about teamwork or to-do lists. It’s about how your brain gets a literal boost when it is learning, doing, or even simply showing up with others. In fact, there is science behind why learning and doing things in real time with real people isn’t just energizing — it’s neurologically strategic.

Whether you thrive being in a crowd or prefer being more off-camera, the Bottom Line on Top of this episode is this: productivity loves company — and so does your nervous system.

Let’s dig into why: 
Live learning works well because it taps into your brain’s built-in systems for motivation, focus, and follow-through. Shared attention sparks accountability. Real-time action reduces resistance and procrastination. And when you are seen — even quietly — it creates mental momentum.

Your brain responds differently when there’s structure and a starting line.

This is part of what’s called the fresh start effect — why Mondays, birthdays, and first-of-the-months, and first of the year– feels like a clean slate for us. Live learning can create that same mental reset. The clock starts ticking, your brain perks up, and you feel a subtle urgency for action — but without all the self-pressure.

Then there’s social facilitation — the psychological nudge that makes you push a little harder when other people are around. Like how you might go faster at the gym because someone’s on the treadmill next to you. Or when you find yourself being more productive when you are in a coffee shop, a waiting room for an appointment, at a bookstore, or even on an airplane — even if no one’s paying attention to what you’re doing, you feel it.

Shared effort sharpens attention. And when you intentionally join a session — like a fitness class or even going to a conference break out room — you’re stepping into a container of commitment. People just like yourself who have showed up at the same time and place.

Time-bound learning has also been shown to reduce decision fatigue. Having a dedicated outlet and timeframe *is* the decision. Now you can get to work doing the work instead of worrying about when you are going to do it. 

And here’s where it gets even more fun — and more nerdy.

The concept of Body doubling — which is also known as focus by proximity — it is a strategy that has been gaining traction in the last few decades because, frankly, it works. The term originally emerged in neurodivergent communities, particularly with people who have Attention Deficit Disorder, as a way to boost their focus simply by working in tandem with others. But, research shows it turns out that approach is helpful for just about everybody.

The Association for Talent Development recently found that our chances of sticking with a goal jump to 95% just by sharing it with someone else. That’s not some social magic — that’s mirror neurons.

Yep — mirror neurons — the same brain cells that fire up when you see somebody else yawn and you start yawning. Or they reach for a drink of water and all of a sudden you’re thirsty. These are little mimic machines inside our brain where you’re borrowing momentum from somebody else— even if they don’t realize that you’re doing it.

In other words: sometimes you don’t need cheerleaders. You just need witnesses.

That’s the quick overview of the science and psychology behind the productivity power of being around others. 

And I am trying this out as well this summer. If you’d like to join me, I’m running a new summer program built on these very scientific ideas. It’s called the POD Squad — short for Productivity On Demand (and because I like to rhyme things)— and it’s a blend of focus, fuel, and a little bit of fun.

Here’s how it's going to work–you can either do it with me or create your own pod:

For at least one month, meet once a week for a 30-minute focus sprint — just show up together and get to work. There’s no teaching, no pressure, just a shared focus window. Jump in, get started, go on with your day. 

For the Pod Squad that I'll be running, there’s an optional 15-minute “after-party” for creative ideation, extra motivation, and a little community nerding. 

Some folks in the past used it for their own creative work, others use it to power through inboxes (that’s usually what I do), and some even sort through their brain or even rest it. One person last year came just to put down their phone for 30 minutes and read a book. I love that.

The POD is intentionally small, so it feels like a team, not a crowd. If it sounds like something your brain might benefit from, check out the details in the show notes or just email us over at hello@unlockthebrain.com, or set up your own system. 

And whether you join a program or simply find your people out in the world, this is a reminder that you don’t have to go it alone. Sometimes, structure + shared space is all it takes to get good things done.

So as you find your flow, start with simple steps that don’t feel stressful.
Just enough to move things forward — without doing all the things.
Space is part of the plan, and how we take care to take good care.

Until next time I hope to see you in the Squad… or right back here on the pod.