The Power of Being Seen
Observation or divine companionship?
The second someone is watching, everything changes. Suddenly you’re in fifth gear. You focus harder when a coworker or the boss is watching. Or you hit a PR in the gym when your gym crush sets up at the rack next to you. You even cook with more love and attention because someone special is sitting at the table. This quiet boost of effort is what’s known as the Hawthorne Effect working at full speed.
The Hawthorne Effect is the phenomenon where individuals change their behavior because they know they are being observed. We tend to try harder when someone is watching. It’s human nature, and honestly, I’ve learned to use that to my advantage.
Body doubling is having someone nearby, whether that be physically or virtually, while you’re doing that thing you really don’t want to do. It’s tricking your brain into staying accountable for what you have to do. My sisters, brother, and I used to sit on each other’s beds while we cleaned our rooms to have some company (and to get it done in a timely manner before mom got mad). Somehow, folding laundry doesn’t feel like getting your toenails ripped off when someone’s there to talk to, keep your mind busy, or do their homework. Fast forward to today, I FaceTime any friend that will answer, just to clean my apartment. Modern problems require modern supervision. I believe, in some capacity, we’re all looking for someone to witness us, hold us accountable, and keep us moving.
This got me thinking… the Hawthorne Effect might not just be psychological, but also spiritual. If I work harder when someone is watching, how hard would I work if I remembered that God always is? As a young girl in Wednesday night Catholic class (CCD shoutout), this used to always be a scary thought. “Wait, I need to fear God? I thought He loved me.” “You mean if I sin, I have to go confess to the priest, who tells God, and I have to pray certain prayers?” Even then, it felt very Big Brother-ish, and for an 8-year-old that’s horrifying. It really wasn’t until I was an adult when I saw God and His Hawthorne Effect for what it was: unconditional love. We aren’t performing for Him; we’re partnering with Him. He isn’t here to punish us every time we screw up, hovering to critique, or waiting hand and foot to see what dumb thing we do next. He’s sitting on the bed while we clean up our mess, wanting us to talk to Him about it, and reminding us that we’re not alone.
The key to motivation isn’t self-discipline; it’s connection. The reminder that someone, or Someone, is right there with us. The next time you find yourself struggling to get started, extend an invite. To a friend, sibling, or the One who will never leave your side. Allow them to see you show up and just watch what happens. Being watched isn’t so bad when someone is cheering you on.
If any of these words resonated with you, and you’d like to support me while I keep writing more of these reflections,
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