The Never-ending Work Playlist
If you’re anything like me, you can’t get through a day of work without some kind of aural entertainment. But not all types of work are equal and not just any type of music will fit just any type of work.
The jury seems to be out on whether listening to music hurts or helps our ability to complete tasks, with the most widespread information saying that unless your task is a mindless and/or repetitive one, music will just be another distraction.
But if silence while working is as maddening for you as it is for me, a healthy middle ground might be to match the type of work you’re doing to the type of music you’re listening to. So here’s something of a highly subjective guide you’ll probably only find helpful if we have the exact same weird taste in music.
I’ve divided types of work into three very scientific categories:
Serious thinky work
This is when I really need to focus, when I’m writing, for example. My go-to for this kind of work is indie acoustic music I’m really familiar with and have been listening to for years. It’s calm and because I know it well, it’s not distracting. This is your Ben Howard, your Bon Iver, your Fleet Foxes. Classics.
Chill work
I listen to this kind of music for any sort of review work where I’m going over stuff already written or doing social media scheduling or planning out the next few days. I usually end up listening to vocal jazz or alternative R&B for this.
When I say I listen to jazz, it’s with the caveat that I can’t listen to what many would consider “real jazz” for too long. I kind of need it to be vocal and for it to have a rhythm I can follow. I’m simple like that.
Friday/non-thinky work
Anything goes here. It’s Friday afternoon, you’ve already checked out for the week but still have those couple things to finish up as you transition into serious weekend party mode, whatever that might mean for you. Have a weakness for Top 40? Go for it.
For me, it means hip hop/hip pop/whatever else has been striking my fancy lately.
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What do you listen to at work? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.