Body doubling is an effective technique that many professional organizers use when working with individuals with ADHD. However, it’s not a technique that only professional organizers can do. Anyone can do it, but you must have certain skills to do it right and well.
Body doubling involves having a person work alongside you while you work and acting as an anchor in the room. This technique is proven to help individuals with ADHD maintain focus, stay on task, complete projects, and make seemingly boring tasks much more fun. In fact, it shouldn’t be limited to individuals with ADHD; everyone should use it as a tool to get things done.
A good body double needs three things to be effective when organizing:
1. They need to be non-disruptive:
This is important because constant movement or noise like coughing or a squeaky chair can make or break a good body double experience. A good body double can “read the need” and will know what is needed to maintain focus.
2. They need to be patient:
Professional organizers are often in a position where they are body-doubling and working with their clients on the same task. Therefore, patience is needed most when sorting, a common body-doubling activity. The client needs time to think and make decisions. If you interject your opinion, talk too much, or push them too hard, the client may not be able to focus and productivity will be lost. Patience means you let the client work through their process and you wait. Not everyone can do this. If you have a hard time keeping your opinions to yourself or feel like things are moving forward too slowly, body doubling is not for you.
3. They need to be a good listener:
A body double is someone who needs good listening skills. While going through things, the client will explain their reasoning and talk through their emotions or thoughts. Sometimes the talk will sound completely unrelated to the task or be long-winded. The client may forget their train of thought and need you to remind them what they were saying. Additionally, they may need you to provide a summarization of what they said so they can hear what they were saying in your words. This processing often helps projects move forward at a faster pace.
In conclusion, it’s important not to take body doubling for granted. It works! Try it out with a trusted friend or family member, or reach out to a local organizer!
If you don’t have someone who can help you’re in luck. We offer virtual organizing services to anyone out of the Richmond, Virginia area and we offer in-home organizing services to anyone local. Set up a FREE phone consultation to learn more!
