Music as a Tool for an Organized and Productive Work Day
Staying organized and productive during the work day can often be a challenge because of so many distractions. One solution is to listen to music while you are working. For some people, that may sound like another distraction, but science has shown that listening to certain sounds can indeed increase focus and productivity. By applying this strategy as you tackle your daily tasks, you should see a difference. This NYC Professional Office Organizer is sharing a list of different types of music that can help you stay organized and on task.
Try the sounds of nature. The benefit of nature sounds as a tool is that they are soothing which helps concentration improve. A 2015 study in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America found that by playing soothing sounds from nature, not only did focus improve, but so did mood. It’s important to note that not every sound in nature will help you focus. Sounds like bird calls or animal noises can ultimately be too distracting. Instead, try listening to the sounds of flowing water, rustling leaves, or rainfall.
Listen to classical music. Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven… pull out the greats of classical music and give it a try. Researchers at the University of Maryland performed a study on radiologists that showed baroque music increased mood and concentration resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy in their tasks. Applying this idea in an office setting could result in increased focus on projects thus ensuring that the related tasks are completed in a timely manner.
Listen to music that you enjoy. This works because music that you enjoy puts you in a positive state which causes you to relax, feel less stressed, and focus energy on your task list. Listening to music that brings up painful feelings can become more distracting. A study done in 2005 on the impact of listening to music on work performance allowed participants to choose the music they wanted to listen to. These participants, while listening to music that they enjoyed, performed tasks generally quicker than others in the study.
Give ambient music a try. Ambient music is different because it doesn’t include lyrics. One downside to songs with lyrics is the urge to sing along if it’s a familiar tune. In regards to ambient music, a 2012 study found that participants listening to this type of music while in a work environment showed improved attention and productivity.
An important point to remember when trying to use music to improve productivity at work – don’t turn it up too loud! Music played at a reasonable level encourages creativity and productivity. If it’s too loud, you’ll just be adding another distraction to your day. For more office organizing strategies, reach out to your NYC Professional Office Organizer today.