Productivity playlists

The most effective playlists for work tread the line between distraction and habituation.

The sound of work is jarring. Like quiet offices where keys are tapped, and factories where equipment clatters – the noise is unpleasant at best, disruptive at worst. Workers are increasingly looking for a different kind of ambience: music. Specifically, productivity playlists that aim to fine-tune the soundscape in a way that encourages us to get on and complete the next task. Do they work?

The idea that music is conducive to doing certain jobs well is pervasive. Even surgeons crank up the tunes sometimes in operating theatres. And warehouse bosses who let their staff choose what kind of music to listen to sometimes notice improved productivity, too.

A number of services offer playlists specially crafted to improve working performance, including Focus@Will, which says it’s important to get the sequence of tracks right: “each piece of music is different enough from the previous piece so that you don’t habituate to the music or your goal”. They claim that this keeps you balanced between distraction and habituation, staying focused.

Multiple studies have shown that people often self-report enjoying work more when they can listen to music. Research also suggests that instrumental pieces are best for productivity, rather than songs with lyrics. One YouTube instrumental playlist with 1.2m views features lots of comments from people saying it helped them curb their habit of procrastination. “It feels like I just drank 10 cups of coffee or something,” writes one.

Ultimately, finding the playlist to work to is probably a matter of personal choice – especially for something as subjective as music.

This is one of the 101 indispensable things you need to know about work today. Click here to see the rest.

Image credit: Piero Zagami and Michela Nicchiotti.