The Power of the Hawthorne Affect

Take a Stroll

Ever take a stroll with a friend who walks a little faster or slower than you normally would alone?  Your stride will invariably take on their pace and rhythm to keep pace. 

It's this same act of taking on the same energy and patterns of people around us that is the foundation of something called, The Hawthorne Affect. 

I'd like to talk about what it is briefly and illustrate a few ways where it can be used effectively to boost your productivity.

The Origin of the Hawthorne Affect

The term Hawthorne Affect was coined back in 1958 by a researcher named Henry Landsberger. Hawthorne Works, which was an electric company based in Chicago, commissioned an experiment to see if their workers would be more productive under higher or lower levels of light. 

Although this particular research was the basis of the study, what they found about the habits of productivity were quite interesting.

To read more about the Hawthorne Affect check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawthorne_effect

The Compound Effect

It turns out seemingly insignificant adjustments like clearing floors of debris, switching around workstations, or maintaining clean work areas all served to boost company productivity. 

How Can We Apply it to Our Daily Lives

I mentioned in a previous blog post that a recent study revealed those who write down their goals are 39% more likely to achieve them. That number jumps to nearly 75% when you have an accountability partner. Once you've made the proclamation that you plan on doing something to another person you will move mountains to get it done.

Those who write down their goals are 39% more likely to achieve them. That number jumps to nearly 75% when you have an accountability partner.

This study beautiful illustrates the power of accountability. Serial entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author Gary Vaynerchuk elaborated in a recent interview on the value of looking outside one self in order to achieve greater results. 

"You know what really sealed the deal for me? Getting healthier. I was 38 years old and it didn't come naturally to me. I hate the gym. I hate it now. I don't like it. I don't want to do it. But I knew it was important...I've won and I'll never lose again. The system was, I needed to be accountable to another human being. I'm doing it almost weirdly more to not let them down. So I feel like there's a shift that can make people work harder."

Coffee with a Friend 

If you want to apply the Hawthorne Affect right now, do what learning expert and keynote Jim Kwik suggests. 

He'll often ask a very focused and productive friend out to a coffee shop when he needs to get some work done. He'll take on the energy of his friend and put an equal amount of heightened focus, time, and effort into what he's doing in an attempt to mirror their effort. 

As a result, he gets more done in less time.

Only Quality People

World renown motivational speaker and author Les Brown has a term he likes to use when describing the folks he surrounds himself with -- Only Quality People or O.Q.T 

He understands the power of associations and credits much of his success to hanging around people who inspire him rather than bring him down.

There is actually data to support the value of associating with like-minded people who have your back, support your vision, challenge, inspire, and bring out your greatest potential. 

You will make within $2,000 - $3,000 of the people you're closest too. If you associate with people who don't take care of themselves and are overweight your chances of falling into the same patterns increase by 57 %.

Also, if you write down your goals you're 39% more likely to accomplish them but if you have an accountability partner who holds your feet to the fire that number jumps to nearly 75%.

Who we hang around matters. If you want to be great get around people who are at a level you want to be. Find a coach, mentor, or someone that knows something you don't. 

Simply clinging to people who are versed in different variants of skills and knowledge you already possess is not enough.

Implement the Cycle of Accountability

In Gary Keller's book, The One Thing he discusses the difference between people who take accountability in their lives versus those who allow life to simply happen to them.

Accountable Mentality:

1. Seeks Reality
Thinks: What's happening?

2. Acknowledges Reality
Thinks: This is the way it is.

3. Owns it
Thinks: If it's to be, it's up to me!

4. Finds Solutions
Thinks: What can I do?

5. Gets on with it.
Thinks: O.K., let's do it!

VERSUS

Life Just Happens Mentality:

1. Avoids Reality
Thinks: Ask no questions.

2. Fights Reality
Thinks: That's not how I see it.

3. Blames
Thinks: If everyone would just do their job!

4. Personal Excuses
Thinks: It's not my job!

5. Waits & Hopes
Thinks: If it was meant to be, it'll happen.

* Don't let life just happen. Live the cycle of accountability. 

The Blame Game

One of the interesting things about riding a cab in New York City is taking note of how your perspective on the world immediately changes the minute the meter starts running.  Suddenly everyone else on the road seems like they're out to get you.  It’s as if everyone in Manhattan with a driver’s license plotted ways to add potholes, broken down cars, and  nonstop gridlock in an effort to make your commute a living nightmare.

Of course, when you're pounding the pavement you think every taxi driver is out of his mind. “Why is he driving so fast?!  Where is he going that’s so important?”  

In other words, you're playing the “Blame Game,” and  It’s one of the most popular games you can play. You only need one person and it’s awfully convenient when you’re frustrated.  

Unfortunately, it’s terribly unproductive and completely liberates you of any personal accountability. And not much good every happens when fail to hold ourselves to a high standard, even amid a challenging landscape where we'd be forgiven for doing so.

How and Why to Get Your Mastermind Group On

Pick a Time to Meet Regularly. We all have busy schedules. You’ll avoid a great deal of stress if you pick a time and stick with it. Gradually, people will learn to schedule their priorities around your weekly gathering.

Pick a Place to Meet Regularly. Scrambling to find a place each week will eventually lead to frustration and interest will taper off. Pick a spot and stick to it.

Request People Show Up on Time. Get off on the right foot. Showing up on time means everyone values the time of their colleagues. This creates a good “contagion” and an environment where ideas can cross-pollinate.

Create an Environment of Mutual Respect. Author and speaker Stephen Covey said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” We learn by listening to one another even when we feel compelled to speak. Listening is essential if we want to learn.

Set Goals. Having actionable objectives each member can work on before the next meeting gives them something to put their energy and focus towards. With group accountability, positive reinforcement, you’ll gradually begin to see the progress you’re making towards your goals.

Benefits:

A platform where ideas can cross-pollinate in a supportive and “non-judgy” environment can do wonders to mobilize your idea into action.

Having an “accountability partner,” is a powerful way to stick to your goals. Having someone hold your feet to the fire and make sure you do what you say you’ll do will help you build momentum and consistency.

When you have to tell someone why you didn’t follow through on something you said you would it raises your standards.

Your sense of personal accountability is strengthened.

I Wasn't Special

For years I wore the fact I hadn't reached all of my highest targets as an actor despite having given it everything I had as a badge of honor. It was a way to proclaim the "injustice" of the industry and forfeit some accountability.

But as I got older, I realized there was absolutely nothing noble or unique about giving something your all and still coming up short. There were people in all types of industries who'd spent just as much emotional, physical, mental, and financial capital into a project for years and years only to see their dreams not come to fruition.

Instead of distancing myself from this people, clinging on to the notion that nobody would understand how I felt, I began to find ways to humble myself. These people became mentors, role models, and inspirations. 

I tipped my hat to their sense of fortitude and refusal to quit their quest to find some way to amplify their voices and offer value even if it may now be in a different way than originally intended. 

It is what it is

"It is what it is," used to be an expression I found troubling. It felt like someone was trying to state something obvious, while still being really vague.

But as I've gotten older I've grown to appreciate what it means and realize it's more nuanced than it may first seem. 

"It is what it is," means exactly that. "What is." Not, what it was, what it could have been, or even what it will be.

First dealing with the present moment allows you to take accountability of the reality of the current situation then decide how you want to proceed. 

It's a good anchor and keeps you from drifting back to what you could have done differently, which no longer matters. It's all about what you can do now.