It’s probably the hottest topic at work, aside from politics. It’s time to discuss music in the workplace.
Can you listen to it at work? To music, that is, not politics. Maybe music is forbidden due to safety at your construction site, or maybe you were told you could listen to your radio at a “reasonable volume from nine to eleven” like Milton Waddams on Office Space.
The question on every manager’s mind: Does music really increase productivity or is it a distraction from work? Follow me down this sentimental journey.
Keep Your Ears to the Ground
Music is something everyone has an opinion on, which makes music in the workplace either a curse or a blessing – including its effect on productivity.
Personally, I find music an ultimate necessity for my work sanity. With that said, I worked in a music store for seven years, and have a degree in Performing Arts, so music is a touchy subject with me. And even to those who claim to be music “experts,”- yet don’t know what on-pitch or what middle C means – are touchy about it too.
For the musically trained, the ears are sensitive to all sounds, not just what is considered organized music. Psychology Today expert and music therapist, Kimberly Sena Moore, explains why writers enjoy listening to music as they work, “From a science standpoint, music easily taps into the parts of our brains that process memory and emotions. This is one of the reasons why music “sticks” with us, and why we tend to have emotional reactions to music. People may not always remember what they read, but they’ll remember how they feel. And research shows that music can modulate our feelings.”
Methods to Your Madness
Moore also mentioned that listening to light, easy music unleashes the mind and makes it open to thought, and that loud music can constrain the mind. Being a writer, I find I need moments that are very soothing, allowing room for inspiration.
On any given day, I will write about agricultural products or restaurant menus, company stories or study medical information for the healthcare industry. Try doing all that while a nearby rock station blares a raging guitar solo, the TV news anchor describes the weather and two office mates have a conversation about their lunch plans.
I have been told that I write like a method actor, which I feel is quite the compliment! You may laugh. But it’s true. If I’m writing about agriculture, I listen to country. Gym memberships? Pop or dance. Fishing? A River Runs Through It soundtrack.
At times, certain products are, well, less spicy. So there’s need to zhuzh it up. I add my spice by selecting the music I write to. To quote Britney Spears, I need to get “in the zone.”
Everybody Cut Loose
Good ideas can also come about by being very loud and obnoxious. In our creative department, we randomly burst into song, create jingles on the fly and talk in accents. We have an awesome time working together. Everyone needs those moments to let loose and unleash their creative juices, take a YouTube break or crank a song and sing along.
“Studies show that playing tunes in the office could be good for getting things done,” said Inc.com staff writer, Maeghan Ouimet. “Music licensing companies PPL and PRS surveyed over 1,000 industries and found that 77% of respondents said playing music increases their overall morale at work and brightens the office atmosphere.”
Even a change of scenery may be necessary. At one point, I was asked to rewrite lyrics to a well-known melody. For me, that kind of writing is easier at a piano, while singing out loud. So I worked from home.
If your workplace doesn’t allow for headphones and iPods, I think a great solution is to create work time zones. At Absolute we simply call it groove time: “No distracting the Creatives from 9 am – 4 pm.” Sounds like a zoo, right? “Don’t feed the animals.” But honestly, it helps us get our work done. So, if you have a question, ask it in the morning or forever hold your peace. ‘Cause we all know 4 pm is drinkin’ time.
Words & Wisdom
Let’s say I’m calculating math, classical music is the only option I can listen to. That, or pure silence. There’s just something about the voice and lyrics that throw me off. I’ll be like: $500 x .15 = 75 carry the Underwood is so awesome! “Jesus, Take the Wheeeeel! Take if from my hands….” What was I doing?
This goes right along with Moore’s thoughts on working to music without words. “As soon as you add words, you activate language centers in your brain, which interferes with any other language “tasks” you may need to work on (reading, writing, talking, etc.),” Moore said.
Lyrics can stop you dead in your tracks. They may inspire a better train of thought, they may remind you of a sad time in your life, they may put you in a dancin’ mood. Whatever music brings to you, find out what works, and develop your own devices of concentration.
So does music in the workplace inspire or put you in a pickle?
For some, chaos is inspiration. These writers can’t focus without the ambient noise swarming around them. They’ve adapted to the noise and they need it. They may actually thrive on it. Or go crazy without it.
Personally, I believe there’s a time and place when focus is needed for writing. I like to be in charge of my own mood and hope that co-workers are tuned-in and conscientious of others.
And for those who can’t listen to music at work, what a bummer! Share this article with your boss and let them know how much more productive you’ll be with a little music in your day.