Productivity a Bit Off Lately? Get Motivated with Music

They say that music feeds the soul, but did you know that it also feeds our brains? And what feeds our brains, sparks our energy and motivates us.

 

You know that yourself although you may not have given it much thought.

 

For example, my wife and I used to actually enjoy grocery shopping when we went to a particular store.  Now most every store these days has forgettable music piped through softly in the background, and this store was no exception. But, they added something different to the mix.  When you got to the frozen section, they played Sinatra.  Swingin’ down the aisle we got happy.  The frozen vegetables and pizzas looked a lot more appealing.  We bought.

 

Trader Joe’s does the same thing.  Great old rock in the background.  You never see an unhappy person at Trader’s.

 

Our favorite nursery plays a lot of Andrea Boccelli . Another shop combines plants with antiques and reproductions prefers to play prefers to a smaltzy electric violin player. For what they do it works perfectly.  In fact, we often go not intending to buy anything but just to walk around and feel the opulence of sight and sound. Despite our intentions, I can’t think of a time we walked away empty handed.  Seems like we always end up with a little something to remind us of the experience.

 

 

Businesses know the subliminal effects of music and often take advantage of that because it completes the sensory experience that triggers people to buy.

 

But what about people who work?  Does music effect productivity and make people happier?   Absolutely.  Music opens up the right side of our brains regardless of what we do, and although those who seem to reap the greatest rewards are musicians themselves, those who listen to music are too.  They’re effectively more productive, more creative and more optimistic in general. (Remember ‘Whistle While You Work’)?

 

Different genres of music and better than others and vary in relation to the types of work we do. In all cases though, it should be used as ambient sound and never cranked up to a pitch that would rouse the dead.

A  moderate noise level can absolutely increase productivity but too much noise will do the opposite.

 

Some has said they have difficulty concentrating when music’s playing while others say they can’t think without it. It may be a matter of matching the type of music to the task at hand.

 

• When you’re doing repetitive tasks, playing music in the background you know elevates your mood and makes doing the task quicker and easier. (Best results come with moderate tempos and songs written in major – as opposed to minor – keys).
• For people working in areas that get a lot of noise and ‘traffic’, and find it difficult to concentrate, a set of headphones and some good music can get you back on track.
• Music hinders us when we’re learning.  In those situations it becomes a distraction because it interferes with the learning process. This is especially true when listening to vocals because it impacts parts of the brain we’re using to try to learn.
• Background music can help spark creativity. Best bet though is instrumentals, because vocals take our brains off track. Avoid high or low pitched tunes and aim for  mellower range of sound and tempo.
• When you need focus, aim for music you know, rather than music you don’t know. Stick to instrumentals and keep the volume down. When you’re familiar with a song you’re not waiting for what will come next – you know the next verse, so your focus remains intact..

 

A friend laughed when I told him about this blog. He asked if that meant the only time he could listen to his hard rock was when he was working out?  Actually, no. It can not only help you get through a pile of emails, but help you finish off any kind of work that requires more drudgery than thought.

 

Many people find that environmental soundscapes work well for them too. Background sounds serve as music too. They’re soft, peaceful and not too taxing on the brain so they won’t distract you from your work.  Classical music works for a lot of people as well, although I’d suggest that you steer clear of heavy opera and the 1812 Overture.

 

What music do you think works for you when you read blogs?