We are living in an age of distraction. There is a lot noise – and really bad noise. In this video, we share a little used technique that tremendously boosts attention and productivity not only for you – but also for your team mates.
Watch the full video to discover the details.
Highlights From The Video
- Results are a function of attention and focus.
- If a task demands higher level of attention than what we supply, we will fail at it.
- Moderate noise improves performance.
- Popular music is bad for productivity.
- Music without lyrics works best.
- Boring tasks become interesting with music.
- Start with upbeat music.
- Minimal music works best for focus and relaxation.
- Play music you like.
- Background music increases focus…
Compared to a relatively quiet environment (50 decibels), a moderate level of ambient noise (70 dB) enhanced subjects’ performance on the creativity tasks, while a high level of noise (85 dB) hurt it. Modest background noise, the scientists explain, creates enough of a distraction to encourage people to think more imaginatively.
Journal of Consumer Research report, March 2012. (details here)
Free Music & Resources
- 3 Hours of relaxing music
- Relax Daily’s 2.5 hour instrumentals – they have a great collection
- Rainmood – realistic rain sounds + other combinations (links in their tweets)
- Simply Noise – white noise and much more
- August Ambience – Excellent ambient, nature sounds
- Mix and play ambient / natural sounds
- Soundrown – best sounds to get work done – from coffee and rain to playground
- Music for Programming – growing collection of music for programmers
- 63 playlists for programming – good quality and variety
- Chillout on Digitally Imported – many swear by this
- Goa Psy on Digitally Imported
- Coffee Shop sounds apps – Good coffee shop sounds – morning, lunch and more
- Koan Music – Excellent source
- Relax Melodies free app for iOS / Android – more for relaxation, works great
- Star Trek Enterprise Engine ambient noise
Feedback Welcome
Do you use background music for yourself / your organization? Did you notice any changes in performance / engagement after trying this out?
We’d love to hear from you! Post your comments below!
