Daniel’s Discource #1: Music In The Workplace

We’ve all heard the adage about Covid, how it’s changed the landscape forever and how normality will never be the same. Which might be true, have you ever seen this many changes at your workplace? Maybe you’re amongst the many who started working from home. Maybe these changes opened up options that weren't possible before, like music in the workplace.

Let me preface this by saying, results may vary; but for many of us, you couldn’t listen to music in the workplace. It wasn’t a matter of seeking permission, but it wasn’t possible, for safety or atmosphere reasons. Then all of a sudden, your home desk besides those booming surround speakers is your new office. So why bother? Well studies have shown that music is a great tool, if you’re a multitasker, then hearing music while working is a great booster to your brain power. It’s also a great motivator, we’d all love more of that sweet sweet dopamine while we work, and music is happy to give it to you. If your job doesn’t require you to constantly hear your surroundings, besides the occasional phone call, then music helps stimulate your ears while working. It’s more of a case by case to see which genres, and which styles of music motivate you, but that’s a perk of doing this while at home. Not concerning yourself with the disruption it’ll cause your co-workers, or constantly arguing over what’s being heard.

If you’re in an open space with other coworkers, then that may be something to consider. I may love the Club Hits of 2012, but everyone around me could be miserable because of it. Productivity could fall if you’re focusing too much on the music rather than your work. Even at home, if you’re constantly thinking about what to play next and twiddling on your phone, then the whole point of playing music is gone. Ultimately, if you have the power to play music while working…do so responsibly. It can be a great tool to go about your workday, or it could be another distraction. It's certainly better than the office drama which you shouldn’t be eavesdropping on anyway.