A while back, my dad asked me an interesting question about “clockwatching.” He asked if I’d ever seen a movie called “Clockwatchers.” When I told him I hadn’t, he insisted I check it out. He said, “I bet you’ll like the message.”
So I watched it.
And honestly? My dad was right. It hit way too close to home, not because I’ve been a temp worker (though I’ve been around it for years), but because it perfectly captured something I see every single day in the online marketing world.
The Temp Worker Mentality
If you haven’t seen it, “Clockwatchers” follows a group of temporary office workers doing dull, repetitious tasks. They’re stuck in this weird limbo, showing up every day, doing the work, but never really committed because, well, they’re just temps. They have dreams and goals, but they can’t seem to break through because of their “low status” position.
Sound familiar?
Well, here’s something I’ve noticed: there’s a lot of individuals who casually treat online businesses as temp jobs.
We show up. We go through the motions. We watch the clock (or in our case, our analytics) hoping something magical will happen. But we’re not fully invested because we’re keeping one foot out the door, ready to jump to the next program, the next guru, the next “proven system.”
We’re clockwatchers in our own businesses.
The Two Kinds of Time
There’s a theme in the movie about two kinds of time, mechanical and human. Mechanical time is just watching the minutes tick by until 5 PM. Human time is being present, engaged, actually living.
In online marketing, we have the same divide.
Mechanical time is:
- Checking your email stats for the tenth time today
- Rearranging your WordPress theme again
- Watching more YouTube tutorials without implementing anything
- Redesigning your opt-in form (again)
- Jumping into another Facebook group to ask the same questions
Human time is:
- Creating content that actually helps your audience
- Building real relationships with your subscribers
- Testing one strategy until you get results
- Making offers (yes, actually selling something)
- Learning from your failures and adjusting
Most of us are stuck in mechanical time, doing busy work that feels productive but doesn’t move the needle.
The Daily Insecurity Trap
In the movie, the temp workers never know if they’ll have work tomorrow. There’s this constant anxiety. They can’t plan. They can’t commit. They’re always in survival mode.
I see this all the time with online marketers. You’re constantly worried:
- “Is this going to work?”
- “Should I switch to a different niche?”
- “Maybe I need a different funnel…”
- “I just can’t build a list.”
This insecurity keeps you jumping from opportunity to opportunity, never staying long enough to see real results. You’re treating your business like it’s temporary, like you’re just filling in until something better comes along.
But here’s the truth: nothing better is coming along if you don’t commit to where you are right now.
Breaking Free From the Cubicle
The temp workers in “Clockwatchers” felt devalued and stuck. But the only real difference between them and the permanent employees? Commitment and the decision to show up differently.
You have to stop being a temp in your own business.
That means:
- Pick one strategy and master it before moving to the next shiny object
- Commit to a timeline – give your current approach at least 90 days of consistent action
- Do high-value work – stop rearranging deck chairs and create something people will actually pay for
- Show up as the owner, not the temp – make decisions from a place of authority in your business
- Stop asking for permission – you don’t need another course to take action on what you already know
The Action You’re Avoiding
Want to know what the temp workers in the movie really struggled with? Taking the risk to pursue their actual dreams. It felt safer to just show up for the temp job.
Ask yourself, are there any actions you are putting off right now in your business?
Is it:
- Finally launching that product?
- Sending the email to your list?
- Recording that first video?
- Raising your prices?
- Reaching out to potential customers?
You already know what you need to do. You’re just watching the clock instead of doing it.
Your 5 PM Doesn’t Exist
Here’s the biggest difference between those temp workers and you: they could at least go home at 5 PM. But in your online business? There is no quitting time that magically makes everything happen.
Success doesn’t punch a time card.
You have to stop watching the clock and start building something real. Stop treating today like you’re just filling in until your “real” business starts. This IS your real business, but only if you decide to make it one.
The temps in “Clockwatchers” were waiting for something to change. Don’t wait. You’re not a temp anymore.
You’re the boss. Act like it.
Now, you’ve picked up some new suggestions. Use them. Take action. Finish those tasks you’ve been putting off. I’ll still be here when you get back.
Gosh, I totally relate to this. I was a temp worker for about five years back in the early 90s. When I first saw Clockwatchers in the late 90s, I thought, wow! That’s exactly how I felt as temp. Not really part of something. Great job of tying this movie with online business. Your point of going through the motions hits hard. I have a question. Since the movie revolves around clock watching, how do you allocate your time? Especially when you seem to be doing a lot of projects. I feel like l’m getting a lot done, but it also feels like just going through the motions.
Thanks for the comment Cynthia!
You probably won’t believe this, but I still use notepads, legal pads, and binders. I have a system for taking and keeping my notes, and I regularly go through them. Of course, I also use a sidebar notepad if I’m pressed for time. I also use a journal that helps me document some of the things going on in my venture. However, I have a main schedule that I create each week. It works like a to-do list and it’s my go to roadmap for the week. Ask yourself this question, what am I trying to achieve? If you’re already getting a lot done, what’s the goal or the end result? Are you trying to build a successful blog, create a product, trying to lose weight, build an email list, etc. You have to understand why you are going through the motions. Remember in the movie Clockwatchers, the temp workers were basically going through the motions in order to get a paycheck. They were also waiting day-in and day-out for something better. You shouldn’t be waiting, especially if you’re getting a lot done. Instead of just going through the motions, you should be moving forward and getting results. I hope that helps answer your question. If not, let me know. Thanks!