Did you know that listening to music while working helps you be more productive? Well, it’s true. You can literally boost your productivity with the beat. There are several reasons why this is true, but suffice it to say, the most important benefit to listening to music while at work is that it causes you to feel pleasure, and that puts you in a good mood and makes you calm and able to stay focused on your work tasks without your mind wandering. So, now that you know the main benefits of working to music, see how it’s done.
Step 1: Make sure your workplace allows you to listen to music while working.
If they don’t, then listen to some tunes while on your break. This will allow you some moments of pleasure and calmness that hopefully will last through to the end of your work session.
Step 2: When listening to music at the workplace, keep the volume down on your ear buds.
Do this for two reasons: 1) to protect your hearing, and 2) to keep from being a distraction to coworkers.
Step 3: Select music that is upbeat and is more instrumental.
We tend to listen to what is being sung when there are vocals, and while working this could cause us to become distracted and off task. By listening to instrumentals, we listen to the music in the background of our minds and remain focused on our job tasks.
Step 4: Bop to the beat without tapping to it.
While staying focused on your work, listen to your music without participating in the making of it by tapping your foot, dancing, or drumming on the desk. Remember, this music is to soothe you and not stimulate you.
Step 5: Be aware of your surroundings.
Even though you are in the zone with your tunes, there are others around you that may require your attention. So (in the case of working in an office) look up once in a while from your desk or step out of your office and be ready to interact with your superiors or subordinates.
Step 6: Take your music with you on an exercise break.
Many people take a walk during their lunch break to get some fresh air and clear their mind. An added benefit to this exercise is pleasure when you listen to your music while taking your walk. This maximizes the benefit of your lunch break.
Step 7: Balance your work with your music.
You may not want to listen to your music all the time while you are at work. Sometimes it becomes necessary for your brain to operate in a less pleasurable and less calm state. This might be the case when (as part of your job responsibilities) you must do something not pleasurable, such as anything having to do with delivering bad news. For the time it takes to prepare for these moments, it is best not to listen to music. Even though scientific research has time and time again proven there is a correlation between the level of work productivity and the music listened to at work, following these seven steps does not guarantee you will become a wiz at the office. Neither does it guarantee your productivity will increase at all, but there is a good chance that you will have a better experience at work. When listening to music, you will have an upbeat approach with a dance in your step that everyone around you will notice and appreciate. You may also find yourself smiling more often because of the pleasure and calmness you are receiving from the rhythm in the tunes you are listening to. You might even find yourself enjoying your job and the people you work with even more! Featured photo credit: Valley With Wild Forest And Lake In Alaska via stokpic.com
