Thousands of people are working from home in the current climate. During this bizarre time of isolation, it’s important to stay productive when working in an environment that can be full of distractions.
So, how do you make sure you’re maximising productivity when working in a different environment? Transmit Startups have investigated the power of music and have revealed 43 songs to include in your playlist that can help you to focus when working from home.
Using scientific studies, they have performed extensive research and used this to reveal which songs can help you perform greater when working. They reveal their key findings below:
• An unproductive workforce costs British businesses £143 billion each year
• Happy music can make you 23% more creative
• High noise levels decrease your cognitive ability
• Music with a heavier bass is more effective at increasing your confidence
• Relaxing music with a slower bpm can reduce anxiety by 65%
• Dance music increases proof-reading speed by 20%
They have revealed categorised songs that serve 6 different purposes when working:
• To boost confidence: Songs with heavier bass are proven to be more empowering
• To ease tension and reduce stress: ‘Weightless’ by Marconi Union can reduce anxiety by 65%
• To increase creativity: Evidence shows Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269, “Spring”: I. Allegro’ can make you 23% more creative
• To make you focus: Evidence shows that playing rock music in the background when you’re focusing can improve cognitive performance
• To improve efficiency when proofreading: Dance music can increase proof-reading speed by 20%
• To get you through when working on repetitive tasks: Whether you’re inputting data or replying to emails – upbeat music can help you to perform tasks quicker
Transmit Startup’s research also reveals that listening to music that hinders productivity could be costing your business thousands. If you are a sole trader, your own lack of productivity could cost your business £4,500 per year – but if you’re like 95% of other UK businesses and have 1-9 employees, that cost jumps to £40,500 a year.
Studies show that multitasking slows us down and makes our brains less efficient – and if the office music is taking too much of our attention and causing a distraction rather than making us focus, it could have a detrimental effect on our work output.
During their research, Transmit Startups heard from Marianne Rizkallah, a Music Therapist at North London Music Therapy. She said: “Music can help us through challenging times by attempting to change our mood can affirm or complement our inner feelings. It can put us in touch with what we’re feeling at a deeper level, help us connect emotionally to our thoughts and bring us to a place of greater understanding about ourselves as we experience heightened emotional insight.”
The current economic state means workforces across the UK may be working from home for the first time. However, in order to remain positive and maintain business productivity, Brits must embrace the new normal working day and music can lend a helping hand along the way.
Transmit Startups is a national delivery partner of the Start Up Loans Company, a government-backed scheme to encourage new entrepreneurs.
You can access these playlists on Spotify here.
