This post is geared mostly toward us freelancers who work from our home offices, but it could just as easily apply to someone who works in a more conventional office setting. Most people would agree that they love music, even if they prefer different genres and styles, but what exactly is the relationship between music and actually getting work done? I explored this topic five years ago, but I certainly feel it is a subject worth revisiting.
When you are sitting at your desk, do you prefer to work in utter silence? Do you like to have talk radio or NPR playing in the background? Do you listen to music that is mostly without lyrics or do you prefer listening to the usual playlist you have on your computer? What effect does this have on your productivity?
Music Unleashes Creative Juices
Inspiration and motivation can come from a variety of sources, but music has to be one of the best. Particularly when it comes to the more creative and visual professions, having that music playing in the background can help to unleash the creative spirit. It helps to engage and unlock those parts of the brain that would otherwise remain dormant in the absence of music. In this way, having the right song playing at the right time can be one of the best things you can do to boost your productivity. Music can be a tremendously effective catalyst.
Music Gets Your Brain into a Rhythm
There is a reason why you may feel inclined to tap your feet to your favorite tunes. There’s a beat there. There’s a rhythm. And, as I’ve written before, that sense of rhythm can facilitate the writing process by giving you a sense of flow. Depending on the kind of work you do, this can be tremendously helpful in not only getting those gears in your head going, but also keeping them going so you can complete the task at hand.
Music Distracts You from Working
Ay, there’s the rub. Part of the problem with listening to music while you’re working is that it is effectively a distracting. The resources in your brain that could be dedicated to the task at hand are otherwise occupied with listening to and interpreting the tunes that are coming in through the speakers or headphones. In effect, you are multitasking and this effectively stunts your productivity. Instead of working on writing that proposal or completing that graphic design, you’re singing along to Adele or Jay-Z.
Listening Makes It So
Everyone works different. Some thrive in the social office environment among colleagues, whereas others prefer to bunker down on their own to get the job done. It may sound like the easy way out, but the fact of the matter is that it is much the same when you discuss the relationship between music and productivity. Music, in terms of helping you complete your tasks, is inherently neither good nor bad; it’s how you use it and how it affects your work process.
So, what’s your take? Does music disrupt your concentration or does it help you work more effectively?
I must work in a quiet environment. Music is good.But when I work, it’s a distraction.
I believe any music that isn’t instrumental smooth Jazz is distracting. The main reason is that I listen to the music too much and less to what I am doing.
During my school days, I went through a phase where I absorb better with music playing in the background.
Now music neither help nor disrupt in my work.
I used to love having a bit of music on while I work, but now I just can’t do it. The music is far too distracting.
I’ll find myself analysing it, or following along with the rhythms and chords etc. This is especially true if it’s a piece I know well.
Studying music has somewhat ruined casually listening to music for me.