Do you think music can make you more productive while you work?
Author: Liz Frome
You can tackle the high demands and increase your productivity by listening to music. Research has been done on what songs tend to help with your motivation, happiness and effectiveness.
If you listen to music during the workday, over 80% of the population listen daily, and 78% believe listening makes them more productive, according to certain polls.
Analysis on 4,000 work-related Spotify playlists found the top songs people choose for productivity are:
Drops of Jupiter by Train
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles
As It Was by Harry Styles
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston
Closer by The Chainsmokers
Circles by Post Malone
Flowers by Miley Cyrus
Your choices may be different, but overall, classic rock, alternative and pop music were perceived to be the most helpful for productivity, while hip hop, heavy metal and electronic dance music were perceived to be the most distracting.
Your favorite choices will also boost performance, and have positive effects on everything from motivation, focus and enjoyment to help reduce feelings of fatigue.
Tip: Choose what you love and let the motivation and productivity flow.
Some of my choices would be: (But my playlist is always changing based on the mood and project for the day.)
Beautiful Day by U2
High Hope by Panic
Don’t stop me now by Queen
Lovely Day by Bill Withers
Africa by TOTO
No Scrubs by TLC
Anything by Nora Jones; depending on the project I am working on
Do you have a playlist? Do you listen to music while working? If you do not have a playlist; what would be your playlist?
Some tips to think about when choosing music for work
Think about/Choose Beat and Base
You can also ramp up your productivity with choices which feature faster tempos and steady beats.
The tone of the music also matters. When people experienced music with more bass, they tended to feel greater levels of power and control.
Choose Music for Your Task
One caution is to choose music that doesn’t compete with the task you’re trying to accomplish.
Choose Music that Connects
You will also want to be selective about music which connects you with others—at least when you’re listening together. The bottom line: Try to leverage music to bond with coworkers.
Listen Well
Overall, you’ll want to be selective about what music works best for you. Listen because you love a song or a playlist but be aware of how it affects the task you’re doing. For some, music might work well and for others, you may choose the sound of silence for some parts of your life or work.
Personally, I do notice a difference if I have the tv on in the background or music. I find myself more productive when I have music on, and I connect with the project and the beat. (When I do have the tv on I tend to have the news on in the background and it tends to not be positive or motivational. I find myself disgusted at times with what is being reported and is not motivating me.)
“Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond.” Ray Charles
More tips to come.
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