The Power of Presence: Why Entrepreneurs Need More Than Just a Great Idea

We often romanticize the entrepreneur that is a lone genius, grinding late into the night, birthing brilliance in isolation. But research and experience say otherwise: our best focus, our deepest productivity, and our boldest execution often emerge not in solitude—but in presence.

Imagine a lighthouse in thick fog. It doesn’t move, it doesn’t shout, but its presence alone changes everything around it. That’s the quiet magic of body doubling—working alongside another person in shared focus—and it’s a game-changer for entrepreneurs navigating the turbulent seas of solo ambition.

I am a recovering hyper independent. I generally tried to work alone and had the misconception when someone was around that they were a distraction or that I had to engage and my work would have to wait. Then after a challenge creating my website, I got my marketing person on zoom with me and I suddenly landed all of it with little to no input from her, just a little conversation and reflection. I was so grateful. Then when I entered into a relationship where we both worked at home we tried working together and both of us being ADHD, we got 3 times the amount of work done, not collaborating just sharing space. I also noticed if I went outside my house to work, like a coffee shop where other creatives were working my focus was also higher. So I got curious. That’s when I learned about the benefits of body doubling. 

What is Body Doubling and Why Does it Work?

Body doubling is the practice of working in the physical or virtual presence of another person for the sake of focus and accountability. It’s not about collaboration or even conversation. It’s about anchoring your attention through shared energy.

Think of it like a mycorrhizal network—the “Wood Wide Web” beneath forests where trees support and stabilize each other invisibly. Body doubling creates a similar grounding for our attention. It works through a mix of social mirroring, reduced overwhelm, and emotional regulation. When someone else is calmly doing their work beside us, we’re more likely to stay with our own.

Entrepreneurs often carry the full mental load of vision, operations, marketing, finance, and imposter syndrome. It’s not a lack of ideas or willpower that slows them down—it’s fragmentation. Body doubling gently reassembles that scattered energy.  This might be the misspoken shift we didn’t understand when the work-at-home trend started.  Organizations are calling people back to the the office and while it can seem to be about making sure people work, is it possible it does fuel focus, creativity and productivity? Now maybe 40 hours a week is overkill and even draining, but maybe its not as horrible as we thought. The rise of coworking spaces may be a sign of tihs recognized benefit as well.

Presence Isn’t Passive. It’s Fuel.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution. And execution depends on nervous system regulation as much as skill. Working in isolation can dysregulate our focus. But presence—someone sitting beside you, focused, breathing, grounded—can act like an emotional exhale.

In our work we make the business case for what would be termed feminine energy that is as much about being as doing, and body doubling may be offering us a clear example. When someone bears witness to your work, without judgment or distraction, you’re more likely to step into your own power. Their stillness becomes your momentum.

Why Entrepreneurs Need More Than Just Coaches

Coaches are vital. So are collaborators. But body doubling offers something different: a mirror, not a map. It’s a reminder that you are not alone, even when your work feels that way. It’s a low-cost, high-trust tool for navigating resistance, procrastination, and the endless to-do list.

When we surround ourselves with people who hold focus, we rise to match it. When we allow someone else’s grounded presence to co-regulate our scattered energy, we do more than finish tasks—we finish strong.

A Quiet Revolution

One woman described body doubling as “having someone hold the door open to my own attention.” That’s the revolution. Not louder hustle. Not bigger dreams. Just enough presence to keep walking toward the ones we already have.

So the next time you feel stuck, scattered, or tempted to white-knuckle your way through another solo work sprint, try this instead: invite a friend, a peer, or even a coach into your work space. Not to fix you. Not to push you. Just to sit nearby as you do the thing.

Because sometimes, the greatest accelerant to your genius… is simply someone else being there while you express it.

Are you looking for support? Strategy, accountability partner, taking your vision to creation to execution? Schedule a call with us to learn more. We are meant to work alone, at Hbird we support entrepreneurs on all levels of there journey. Learn more at www.hbirdco.com