Effective Music Playlists for Work

Music has a profound impact on our emotions, with numerous studies highlighting its ability to reduce cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, and trigger the release of dopamine, linked to pleasure. Whether it's the rhythmic beats of an upbeat tune or the melodic harmony of a favorite melody, the neurochemical response induced by music significantly influences our overall mood. Recognizing this connection offers valuable insights into how music can serve as a powerful tool to enhance focus and productivity in the workplace.

Repetition strengthens associations between music and our mental states. This understanding becomes especially relevant at work, where we transition between different modes such as deep focus for challenging tasks, energizing ourselves for repetitive tasks, or overall seeking inspiration. Regardless of the task, the key lies in training our brains to associate specific types of music with different activities through repetition. Our brains actively seek familiar cues and associations to trigger responses and engage auto-pilot modes, a concept Daniel Kahneman refers to as "System 1 - thinking", and I like calling our "Homer Simpson-self." This enables us to achieve deeper focus and reduces the likelihood of procrastination. While various types of music may generate different initial reactions, similar to Pavlov's dog, we can train ourselves by consistently playing the same music for a specific task.

However, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Individual preferences vary when using music for concentration. Studies suggest that specific beats-per-minute ranges may enhance focus, with extroverts benefiting more from music, while introverts thrive in quiet settings. Dr. Sahar Youssef, a cognitive neuroscientist, recommends creating distinct focus playlists for different modes. She advises listening to music without lyrics and using a specific playlist only when aiming to trigger a particular mode (avoid using it for other settings).

How can you leverage music to your advantage? Create playlists tailored to the most common "modes of focus" during your day. Here are some personal examples that have proven effective for me after extensive training by repetition (use as inspiration, but try to find what works for you):

• Writing time: Jazz Music - Currently listening to this genre. Fun fact: last time I went to the dentist, Jazz was playing and I immediately wanted to write something

• General Focus : Deep Focus or Get Focused – Expertly curated playlists that consistently work for me.

• Reading Emails: Classical Music – Maintaining composure while responding to challenging emails, sometimes requiring the elegance of Beethoven.

• Sleep / Relaxing: Weightless by Marconi Union – Known as the "world's most relaxing song" and works exceptionally well for me.

• Recognizing what works for others, but not me: ASMR for sleep (I find it creepy), Electronic Dance Music (EDM) for focus (gets me too hyped).

*Pro Tip for Spotify users: Create your own playlists and then exclude them from your Taste Profile to prevent them from influencing your Discover Weekly and Year-End Wrapped.

So I say thank you for the music,

Jorge Luis Pando

"Music can change the world because it can change people." - Bono