4 Tips for Using Music to Boost Productivity

I’m a firm believer in using music to boost productivity, and unless I’m doing a live Zoom or recording videos, there are always tunes playing in the background. I think I might have mentioned in a previous article that turning on the Spotify is my trigger that it’s time to start working!

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It’s easy for me to see the link between music and productivity because I’ve been musical all my life. My dad was a musician and a piano teacher, and I started playing the piano when I was about 3 years old. He was always convinced that there was a direct relationship between the music that you listen to and how productive and/or creative you are at any given moment.

And the older I get, the more inclined I am to agree with him.

In fact, there is a body of research that shows how music can provide many benefits to your brain and overall cardiovascular health. It can increase your blood flow, making it easier to concentrate and relax. Increased blood flow protects your brain from memory loss, allows you to de-stress, and reduces inflammation that can damage your body’s healthy cells over time.

Music even works the other way around for high blood pressure due to illness or stress. The key to using music to boost productivity is to find music that makes you happier. It ends up creating a positive spiraling effect throughout your day.

Here are just a few of the benefits of using music to boost productivity:

• it can Improve your focus, motivation, and inspiration.

• it can boost your performance and accuracy.

• it releases dopamine and improves your mood.

• it stimulates your brain and improves your energy levels.

Music can be incredibly beneficial, however, too much of it (can you really have too much music?) or choosing the wrong tunes can be a negative when it comes to working and listening at the same time.

Here are 4 tips for using music to boost productivity:

Tip #1 – Choose the right songs for the job

Find the tunes that are right for you and the work you are doing. Songs that are too slow can slow down your work pace or even make you need a nap. If they’re too fast it’s entirely possible you’ll be like me and start dancing in your chair.

Tip #2 – Be mindful of what needs to get done

Unfortunately, some tasks will require your complete and undivided attention to do properly. Be mindful of the tasks on your list and whether or not music will help or hinder you doing them.

Tip #3 – Pay attention when it’s not working

When it comes to music and work, it really only works if you like what you’re listening to. I go back and forth between country, jazz, ambient nature sounds, and classical depending on what I’m doing and the mood I’m in. Sometimes I’ll even just grab a playlist from YouTube and leave that playing in the background.

This morning it’s country, and in the middle of typing this up I put the standing desk up so I could move and type at the same time. It’s an easy way to get a little exercise and some steps in and still get work done!

Tip #4 – Make sure it makes you happy

While it may not feel like it, the music is actually what’s making you productive. The happier you are, the more productive you will be. Which is why it’s so important to pick the right song and keep it personal. If it doesn’t make you happy, it will most likely have the opposite effect.

As you can see, as long as you pick the right music, it can lead to happier and more productive days. Next time you get to work, put on your favourite playlist and see just how much faster you get things done.