As art decorates space, so does music decorate time. It is undoubtedly one of the triumphs of human creativity.
Music is a pervasive part of much of our daily lives, whether we consciously notice or not. It has increasingly become a part of the modern-day workplace. With so much of our time being spent at work, and so much of our work being done at computers, music has become inseparable from our day to day tasks — a way to “optimize the boring” while looking at screens. It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t have a pair of headphones or earbuds at their desk. At some offices, seeing co-workers pounding their keyboards with headphones on is a status quotient. Let’s have a quick look at some of the ways in which music increases productivity at work.
Music makes repetitive tasks more enjoyable
When you need to complete a repetitive task that doesn’t require a great deal of cognitive functioning (i.e. mental effort) once it is learned, music is a critical way to reduce task fatigue. Task fatigue refers to how completing a task over and over can start to feel boring and frustrating.
By having music to distract your brain from the repetitiveness of tasks, you can generally continue to work for longer without needing a break to recharge. This can increase productivity.
Music Improves Mood
More modern studies would argue that it isn’t music itself, but rather the improved mood your favourite music brings that is the source of bump in productivity. Happy and upbeat music can lead employees to be more productive, cooperative and work harder for the good of the company or team.
According to New York Times article, music helps release dopamine and serotonin — “feel good” neurotransmitters in the same way that eating something delicious or looking at a beautiful view does. This intuitively flushes your brain with positive emotions. By making you feel happy, music can increase efficiency and productivity.
Music Sparks Creativity and Inspiration
If you’re about to tackle a difficult task or begin a creative project, listening to upbeat music beforehand can be a great way to boost your mood and give you a motivational jumpstart. Music relaxes your muscles, slows down the pace of breathing and reduces stress levels. The more relaxed you feel, the more your mind tends to wander, and the more likely you are to come up with creative solutions.
Since music is born from creative inspiration, coming in contact with it might inspire the creative spark you need to get in a new frame of thinking, and get your mojo rising. There is no wonder why mornings start with ‘’aarti” and “azaan”, there are assembly prayers in schools, and National Anthem at the beginning of events of importance.
Music encourages Cooperation
Music helps mould a new type of working environment that benefits both the employees and employers. People seem more likely to get into sync with each other if they’re listening to music that has a steady beat to it. While one group is able to enjoy a more supportive workplace, the other may be able to save money and increase productivity. Office sound system as a channel has been under-appreciated as a way to inspire cooperation among co-workers.
Listening to music in a group setting can help everyone in the room not only feel more connected with each other, but also put them all in the same state of mind and on the same level.
Tread the familiar path for focus
It is beneficial to listen to music you are familiar with if you need to intensely focus for a project. The reason being is that new music is surprising; since you don’t know what to expect, you are inclined to listen closely to see what comes next. With familiar music, you know what lies ahead. So, it’s best to tread a familiar path if you are using music to get things done.
Game composers know that the ideal music for many situations is music that enhances the experience without distracting the player. Music with lyrics works best with non-language oriented tasks, like software developing and designing.
Music is personal
Music is personal; and people are programmed differently — so what works for one person right might not work well for another. Some absolutely cannot listen to music, especially if there are lyrics, when they write or edit; and there are some writers who will listen to movie soundtracks to write everything from white pages to blogs. It’s partly for this reason that the question of whether music helps or hinders our concentration has been a topic of discussion for years.
Music is an enchantment, an escape. It is a catalyst and a cue. Music has the power to heal, to rejuvenate and to inspire . It can give wind to your sail and win back time, place and emotions for you.
You can always have music at your disposal. Turn it on (wisely) to keep your productivity curve rising.
Visit www.GiGlue.com to know more about music.
Picture credits — google.com
