A manager I spoke with shared an unorthodox technique she used with her employees: If they weren’t doing anything, she’d at least ask them to pretend they were. Her logic was that there’s a limit to how long you can look productive before you actually become productive. It might sound a bit cynical. But as I started digging deeper, I was impressed—because it turns out there’s solid psychology behind this method.
Self-Perception Theory
At first glance, this might seem like a humorous, maybe even cynical trick. But when we take a closer look, it actually taps into some interesting psychological mechanisms. For example, self-perception theory suggests that we often interpret our own actions as cues to who we are. So if you’re pretending to work, your brain might eventually think: “Maybe I should actually work, since I’m already acting like I am?”
This idea also ties in with Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, which points out that belief in your own ability to complete a task is key to getting started. This line of thinking is also supported by the findings in the master’s thesis “Self-perception, mastery and motivation in school“, written by Thea Kristine Olsen, which highlights how small actions can help strengthen students’ self-image and belief in their abilities. By starting with something as simple as pretending, the threshold for taking real action is lowered, which in turn can gradually boost self-efficacy.
Social Dynamics
The social dynamics of an open office where everyone looks busy makes it harder to be the one clearly doing nothing. “Pretending” creates a social expectation, and that expectation might be just what it takes for someone else to spring into action. This connects to findings in educational studies, where relationships and social context often play a crucial role in motivating behavior.
In Conclusion
Like any technique, this one has its limits. If “pretending” becomes part of the company culture, you risk creating an environment where looking busy becomes more important than delivering results. At that point, you might as well get a job in one of the most overstaffed public agencies—or, if you’re the social type, maybe consider becoming a professional politician.
What do you think? Is this a brilliant little motivation hack, or does it cross the line into cynicism?
