I’ll be the first to admit it—I am easily distracted. Left to my own devices, a single work session can quickly devolve into a three-hour deep dive into weird Wikipedia rabbit holes (did you know there’s a jellyfish that can technically live forever?) or a spirited internal debate about whether I should start meal-prepping like an adult. Spoiler: I don’t.
Enter co-working livestreams, the only thing standing between me and the complete and utter collapse of my productivity. Since starting my new career, I’ve been grappling with the chaos of self-management, and returning to livestreams will become my lifeline. Here’s why...
1. The Illusion of Supervision (a.k.a. The Productivity Big Brother Effect)
It’s like tricking my brain into thinking someone is watching me work, even though no one really cares if I’m slacking off. But somehow, the presence of other focused people on my screen keeps me from going rogue. Do I still occasionally tab over to check Discord? Absolutely. But there’s something about knowing a bunch of strangers are quietly grinding away at their own tasks that makes me feel like a delinquent if I don’t follow suit.
2. Built-In Breaks That Prevent Burnout (and Existential Crises)
Without structure, I either work in short, unfocused bursts or hyperfixate for six hours straight until my body starts staging a rebellion. My co-working livestreams use the Pomodoro technique—45 minutes of work, 15-minute break—which has saved me from the all-too-familiar “oh no, I forgot to eat” scenario. And let’s be honest, without these scheduled breaks, I’d either be dehydrated or accidentally discover what it feels like to transcend time itself.
3. Peer Pressure, But Make It Productive
My livestreams have my AI Kincaid in the chat where people can announce what they’re working on fir her to keep track and let me tell you—there’s nothing more humbling than typing out my grand plan for the session, only to realize I’ve accomplished absolutely none of it when the check-in time rolls around. The mild shame is just enough motivation to keep me accountable, but not so much that I want to fake my own disappearance.
4. A Low-Stakes Sense of Community
Starting a new career can be isolating, and while I thrive on solitude, even I need the occasional reminder that other humans exist. Co-working streams offer just the right amount of social connection without requiring any real interaction. I can lurk in the digital presence of others, absorbing their silent determination like some kind of motivational vampire.
5. It Reduces Decision Fatigue (Which Is a Fancy Way of Saying I Don’t Have to Think Too Hard)
When I have to decide when to start working, how long to work, and when to take breaks, my brain gets overwhelmed and decides to do none of it. Co-working streams take all the guesswork out of the equation. I just show up, follow the rhythm, and boom—tasks get done. Well, most of them.
Final Thoughts (Because That’s What Professional People Write)
Am I still a chaotic mess? Absolutely. But thanks to co-working livestreams, I am at least a functional chaotic mess. If you’re struggling to stay on track—whether because of a new career, ADHD, or just general human nature—I highly recommend giving them a shot. Worst-case scenario, you spend 45 minutes staring at your to-do list before realizing you need a snack. Best case? You actually get stuff done. Either way, it beats another three-hour Wikipedia spiral.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pretend to be productive in front of strangers on the internet.
