Imagine this: you have a big to-do list for your shop. You need to update photos, fix tags, and reply to messages. However, instead of working, you find yourself cleaning your desk for the third time. Sound familiar?
You are not alone. Procrastination is a real challenge for many shop owners who work alone. Getting started can feel almost impossible on certain days. Fortunately, there exists a simple, collaborative approach to productivity that can be especially effective if you struggle to stay on task when working by yourself.
What Is Body Doubling Work?
Body doubling, meaning working alongside another person, is just as simple as it sounds. You do not have to talk to them. You do not have to work on the same thing. The presence of another person is often enough to help you stay focused.
This practice provides a space to work with natural accountability and structure built in. A body double is not a coach or a supervisor. They are simply someone who is physically or virtually present while you work. Sometimes, simply having someone else in the room or on your screen to “hold you accountable” is all it takes to stay productive.
The Benefits of Body Doubling for Accountability and Productivity
The benefits of body doubling go far beyond simply having company. It is a productivity strategy where you work with your natural tendencies, rather than against them. It creates a sense of structure that helps you start and stick with tasks.
Here are a few potential benefits of body doubling that can help your workflow:
Task initiation becomes easier. The presence of others, whether physically or virtually, can lower any mental blocks you may have as you begin working. For many sellers, getting started is the hardest part. A body double helps you stay accountable from the very first minute onward.
Procrastination decreases. Knowing that someone is watching, even passively, can make it so that you are more likely to get started and keep working at a steady pace.
Productivity and motivation improve. With a body double present, you may find it easier to stay focused and on track. Some people find that it’s easier to be focused and productive when they’re not working alone. Even if the two of you are working on completely separate projects, the desire to avoid “disappointing” or distracting each other can keep your minds from wandering.
Body doubling can offer real results for sellers who feel stuck. Many creators report completing more during one body doubling session than in an entire solo afternoon.
How To Incorporate Body Doubling Into Your Work Routine
When you incorporate body doubling into your regular schedule, it becomes a natural part of your time management. All you need is a task, a willing body double, and a start time.
Step 1: Pick a task. Know what you want to accomplish before the session begins.
Step 2: Set expectations. Body doubling isn’t a social call. Decide whether you will chat or stay quiet. Most effective sessions involve minimal talking. If your body double talks too much, you lose the productivity and focus you were aiming for. Make sure your partner understands the purpose: this is a focused work session.
Step 3: Commit to a time block. A focused session works best with a clear start and end time. This supports time management and keeps you both focused and productive.
Step 4: Work alongside each other. You can work alongside each other on completely different projects. What matters is that you are both present while you work.
Step 5: Check in briefly at the end. A short wrap-up reinforces accountability and motivates both of you to schedule the next session.
One of the best things about body doubling is that you do not need a formal environment. A video call works. A library works. Any setup where you can work alongside someone else is enough.
Virtual Co-Working vs. In-Person Co-Working Space
So, should you work with a body double in person or virtually? Both are effective approaches to productivity and accountability. The right choice depends on your working style.
Going to an In-Person Co-Working Space
In-person body doubling means sharing a physical space with your body double. A coffee shop, a library, or a local co-working space are all great places to body double.
Bonus: although you can body double with anyone, working alongside another person who creates or sells things that are similar to your products is more likely to provide you with that desire to not “disappoint” or distract that we mentioned earlier. Simply sharing a space with a relatively like-minded individual is enough to activate focus and stay on task.
Trying Virtual Co-Working
If you are working from home, virtual co-working is often the simpler option. Virtual body doubling has gained significant popularity over the past few years. There are now platforms like Deepwrk, Focusmate, and Flown that are built specifically for virtual co-working. On these platforms, you can join a group of people on a video call. During this call, you’ll all work on your own projects.
To understand how this works in practice, let’s look at the experience of Sophie. Running an Etsy shop since 2013 while also working with the eRank team means that her days require focus and context-switching. She decided to give body doubling a closer look:
After hearing a ton about body doubling, a friend suggested I try a dedicated platform. It’s been fascinating and honestly pretty different from what you read online. I don’t know if it’s just the platform I use, but there’s this incredible kindness and warmth I didn’t expect. It’s not invasive at all. Everyone just does their own thing; most are on their computers, but others are doing sewing or chores, usually turning their cameras off. There is zero judgment.
What I also love is the flexibility: you can hop into an ongoing session or book them in advance. Scheduling a session like a calendar meeting is such a game-changer for productivity. It forces you to block off dedicated time for deep work, so you actually stick to it instead of letting other things get in the way.
As Sophie’s experience shows, working in the virtual presence of someone else can be just as effective as working in the same room as each other. Simply having that visual connection creates a powerful accountability effect.
Coworking communities have expanded in online spaces. You can find body doubling groups on Discord, Reddit, or dedicated coworking platforms. The coworking space you choose, whether in person or online, should feel calm and work-friendly.
How To Find a Body Double and Start Your Body Doubling Session
Ready to start body doubling? Here are a few practical ways to find a body double:
Start with someone you know. Work with a friend who also has tasks to finish. Sit on a video call and work in silence together. This is often the easiest first session to try.
Join an online group. Many coworking groups exist specifically for this purpose. These communities make it easy to find a partner in minutes. Search for “virtual body doubling” or “online co-working” to discover options.
Connect with fellow Etsy sellers. Communities on Facebook, Discord, and seller forums often include sellers who body double together. A quick post asking who wants to co-work can get a fast response.
Use a dedicated app. Several platforms have been built to make body doubling accessible to anyone. These apps match you with a body doubling partner and provide a structured virtual session framework.
Once you find a body double, starting is simple. Share what you plan to work on, set a timer, and get to work alongside someone else. Working on different projects is fine. What matters is that you are both present while you work.
Using Body Doubling: How To Benefit From Body Doubling Long-Term
Using body doubling consistently is what turns it into a durable strategy for productivity and accountability. To benefit from body doubling, schedule recurring sessions for the tasks you tend to procrastinate on.
Body doubling provides accountability and structure that builds over time. A body double can help you stay motivated, even during tedious tasks. Over time, it can help you develop a stronger workflow.
It can also help you break through any mental blocks that are slowing your shop’s growth. This coworking method is a tool for anyone looking to maintain focus and stay productive when working alone is a challenge.
Body doubling for productivity works best when it is intentional and regular. A focused session once or twice a week can work wonders for your motivation, your to-do list, and your shop.
Conclusion: A Simple Body Double Strategy to Get Things Done
Body doubling work is a simple, free, and potentially effective productivity strategy for shop owners at every level. When your workflow involves working alongside someone else, physically or virtually, it can transform an unambitious afternoon into a productive one. The presence of another person acting as your accountability partner could be just what you need to stay alert and focused on the task(s) at hand.
Running your own online shop is hard work. Tools like eRank give you the data and insights you need. Strategies like this one can give you the focus and energy to act on that data. When combined, productivity and accountability can help provide a solid foundation for your business.
So, get started when the time is right. Find a body double. Set a time. If you use it regularly, you may notice that this strategy is increasing your motivation to get and maintain a sense of direction in your daily routine. You might even find yourself suddenly able to complete tasks that have been sitting on your list for weeks. Sometimes, you just need a body double nearby to make things happen.
Body doubling is a productivity technique where you work with your natural tendencies, rather than against them. And it might be the simplest focus and productivity shift you make this year.
