I wonder if having a significant other work by you so you can see each others’ screens would have a similar effect—I assume the effect is diminished because it’s a more familiar relationship, but it might work out? Has anyone tried this?
Yes. The effect is diminished, despite the fact that my girlfriend is my colleague, and I value her immensely, and she is a workaholic.
I suspect because it is impossible to keep up a 100 % productivity facade in front of her, so there is basically precedent for being lazy in front of her. I also know she loves me and is understanding, so she will be supportive if I reschedule sessions. And finally, she is a potential distraction herself—she’s hot, and that comes with the definite alternative of sex or snuggles to this work task I do not know how to approach.
For us, it worked when we both had offices in the same university building. I do not laze around at university. I never use my workspace or laptop there for anything not work related. There are no available offline distractions beyond us playing ping pong in the breaks. And the whole work context feels like a scenario where you have to be put together. I can’t just be in my yoga clothes or my snuggly bathrobe, but I am dressed professionally, my hair doesn’t look crazy, and this physical presentation affects how I hold myself, and what I expect to do. So in that context, we are colleagues only, and hence, also only see each other being either productive, or taking genuinely necessary and rejuvenating breaks.
I wonder if having a significant other work by you so you can see each others’ screens would have a similar effect—I assume the effect is diminished because it’s a more familiar relationship, but it might work out? Has anyone tried this?
Yes. The effect is diminished, despite the fact that my girlfriend is my colleague, and I value her immensely, and she is a workaholic.
I suspect because it is impossible to keep up a 100 % productivity facade in front of her, so there is basically precedent for being lazy in front of her. I also know she loves me and is understanding, so she will be supportive if I reschedule sessions. And finally, she is a potential distraction herself—she’s hot, and that comes with the definite alternative of sex or snuggles to this work task I do not know how to approach.
For us, it worked when we both had offices in the same university building. I do not laze around at university. I never use my workspace or laptop there for anything not work related. There are no available offline distractions beyond us playing ping pong in the breaks. And the whole work context feels like a scenario where you have to be put together. I can’t just be in my yoga clothes or my snuggly bathrobe, but I am dressed professionally, my hair doesn’t look crazy, and this physical presentation affects how I hold myself, and what I expect to do. So in that context, we are colleagues only, and hence, also only see each other being either productive, or taking genuinely necessary and rejuvenating breaks.