Can Music Be Your Secret to More Energy and Focus?
If you’re like me, you love a good playlist - whether it’s for getting things done, during a workout, while driving, or even as background noise when you work.
But have you ever really paid attention to which tracks get you in the zone? Do you think about how music actually affects your energy and focus? Most of us just pick music based on mood or activity without realizing its potential as a productivity tool.
What if I told you that music can be a very powerful tool when it comes to dialing up (or down) your energy, focus, and productivity? All it takes is knowing what kind of music works best for you, what factors to consider, and how to use it intentionally.
Imagine being able to tap into the right music to instantly shift your mood, improve concentration and focus, give you a confidence boost, or help calm your mind and make you feel more relaxed.
I’ve experienced this myself, and research supports it too. I want to share a few things I’ve learned that will help you use music to your advantage. By evaluating what you listen to and matching it with the tasks at hand, you can curate playlists specifically designed to help you achieve exactly the state you need in the moment.
Key Elements To Pay Attention To
Music can feel like a secret superpower once you realize how different tunes impact your brain, mood, and focus. It can lift you up when you're feeling sluggish or help you unwind when your mind feels cluttered.
The key is to curate playlists for different moments of your day, the tasks you're working on, or the state you’re trying to achieve. It’s not about having one go-to playlist with songs you like on repeat; it’s about picking the right type of music for specific tasks or moods.
There are a few factors you may not have considered - or might need a reminder of - that can make a big difference when choosing music.
Choose music based on how you want to feel, not how you currently feel. We often pick music that matches our current mood without realizing it. For example, when we’re sad, we tend to choose melancholic songs; when we’re happy, we go for upbeat tunes. But when using music as a productivity tool, focus on what you want to feel. If you're feeling distracted or upset but need to focus, try calming instrumental music instead of emotional songs. If you're too energized and need to concentrate, choose something more steady and relaxing.
Match music to task complexity. Different tasks require different types of music. For simple, repetitive tasks, upbeat music can help you stay engaged and less distracted. But for complex tasks requiring deep focus or learning, it’s better to start with no music or soft instrumental music. Research suggests faster-paced music works well for routine tasks, while slower, ambient music aids focus for more mentally demanding work.
Know your personality type when selecting music. Your personality influences how you respond to background music. Extroverts may need background music to feel stimulated, as they’re naturally less sensitive to external distractions. Introverts, on the other hand, might find background noise distracting and prefer silence or minimal sound. Creative individuals may benefit more from music, as it can spark imagination and allow the mind to wander productively.
Choose music without lyrics for focus. Studies show that understanding around 20% of lyrics can lower productivity, and when you understand 30-50%, performance declines even more. Lyrics can be distracting, especially for tasks that involve reading, writing, or problem-solving. For deep concentration, non-verbal music or instrumental tracks are better choices.
Music with a steady beat enhances productivity. Music with a consistent, steady tempo is less distracting and helps maintain focus better than music with variable rhythms. It’s similar to hearing someone talk: when the tone is monotone, it’s easier to block out, but when their volume or pitch changes, it grabs your attention. The same applies to music - songs with a steady beat help you stay focused, while unpredictable rhythms can pull you out of your flow.
Stick to familiar favourites. Once you curate your playlists, stick to the same songs over and over again. According to research, listening to familiar music has powerful benefits - it boosts emotional response, enhances memory, and helps create the right energy or mood you’re aiming for. Research also shows that your favourite songs can increase focus and motivation, making it easier to enter a productive flow compared to listening to new or unfamiliar tracks.
It’s All About Personalization
Not all music works the same way for everyone.
For me, I’ve found that instrumental music, particularly piano pieces without lyrics, works like magic. Whenever I feel like I’m about to get distracted or procrastinate, I put on my go-to carefully curated piano playlist, and it's like my brain just clicks into focus.
While I might find piano music the key to staying focused, you might need something completely different. That’s why it’s important to pay attention and personalize your playlists based on what works for you.
A playlist that energizes you in the morning might not be the same one that helps you stay focused when your energy dips in the afternoon.
Simple Steps to Curate the Perfect Playlist
Here are a few simple steps to help you get started:
Check in with yourself. Before choosing your music, take a moment to check in with yourself. What’s your current mood? What state do you want to achieve? This awareness will guide you in selecting the right type of music for the moment.
Identify the task you’re working on. It’s important to understand the nature of the task at hand - whether it’s routine, complex, or mentally demanding. When you become more aware of what you’re working on and have playlists personalized for different task types, you can intentionally choose the right music to enhance your productivity.
Leverage technology to help you curate playlists. I'm a big fan of Spotify. I have a number of playlists that I put together for different types of situations and tasks, and I love using their "Go to Radio" feature. It helps me create playlists based on a track I like, suggesting songs with a similar genre, style, or mood, making it easy to discover new music that fits my needs.
Start a music journal. As you begin curating playlists, keeping a simple music journal can be helpful. You don’t have to do this long-term, but in the beginning, jotting down notes about which songs work best during different times of the day and for different types of tasks can help refine your choices. It can be as simple as making notes in your phone about songs that boost your energy, help you focus, or relax you.
Consider music as a productivity tool, not just entertainment. Think of music as a tool to enhance your performance, just like adjusting your workspace or schedule. Consider factors like tempo, familiarity, lyrics, and how a particular type of music makes you feel. Are you looking to feel energized, calm, or focused? The more intentional you are about using music, the more it will help you get into the right mindset for the task at hand.
The Takeaway
While music is a great way to entertain and lift our spirits, it can also be a powerful productivity tool when used intentionally. By paying attention to how it impacts you and considering key factors like your mood and the task at hand, you can create playlists that help you achieve the state you need - whether that’s focus, energy, or relaxation.
So, next time you hit play, pause for a moment and ask yourself: What do I need right now?
Then choose the playlist that will help you create the shift you’re looking for. 😊🎶
