Sometimes, there’s a balance between being watched too closely and just enough to do your best work. It’s called the Hawthorne Effect. This means people tend to work harder when they think someone is watching them. For example, you might push yourself more during a workout class than when you’re exercising alone. This idea can help you be more productive in various situations, even if no one is actually watching you.
What is the Hawthorne Effect?
This idea of people working harder when they think they’re being watched was noticed during research at the Hawthorne Western Electric Plant. Some debate whether this was where it was discovered, but the behavior itself is clear: when people know they’re part of an experiment or being observed, they tend to put in more effort. Even outside of experiments, just knowing you’re being watched or checked on can make you work a bit harder.
Researchers and social scientists have spent a long time trying to figure out if this effect is real or not. Some people might not perform better when they know they’re being watched, but if you’ve ever noticed you work better with regular check-ins from your boss, stay more focused when your time is monitored, or step up when your colleagues need a leader, you might be experiencing the Hawthorne Effect.
Productivity tools to consider:
The Rocketbook Everyday Planner costs $38. You can scan your notebook pages into your devices and erase them in real life, so you can reuse the same notebook many times. This works for any Rocketbook product, which is all good for staying organized.
A 52-sheet weekly planner notepad costs $9.95. It’s helpful for setting weekly goals and keeping them visible.
A mini goal-planning notebook costs $13.99. You can take it with you everywhere, so you can always check in with your goals.
How you can use the Hawthorne Effect
You can’t force someone to watch you all the time, like asking your boss to keep an eye on you constantly. But there are ways you can create a sense of being watched or checked in on to boost your productivity. Here are some ideas to try:
1. Schedule regular check-ins with your manager, even if they’re just short meetings once a week. Having these structured conversations will make you feel like your boss is expecting updates on your work.
2. Find an accountability partner, like a coworker, classmate, or roommate, who is working on similar goals. Set up regular check-ins with them to discuss your progress.
3. Use apps that track your goals and progress. Some apps can act like a virtual accountability partner or even send you reminders to stay focused on your tasks.
4. If you’re not in the office, work in places where other people are around, like a coffee shop or coworking space. Being around others can make you feel more accountable and less likely to get distracted by social media or other non-work activities.
