Music: Motivator or Distraction?
Does music motivate you to work, keeping you going through your day, or does it distract you from getting things done?
When I was younger, I used to watch TV while I did my homework. And, when I was doing homework, I’d be writing and drawing in front of the TV. When I got a computer, I would typically listen to music while writing or doing homework on it.
But, nowadays, it seems more of a distraction than an assist. At work, I’d prefer it if the radio weren’t on at all. When no one else is around, I usually turn the radio off.
Maybe I just like the quiet. Or the hum of the computers. An occasional bird calling.
What about you?
I actually did a post about this not too long ago!
I find that it all depends on the kind of music that I’m listening to. I work best when I’m listening to instrumental music as opposed to music with singers.
We usually have music on low volume unless my wife has the TV on, which she sometimes does even if it’s something she’s seen before — for background noise.
The music doesn’t generally distract me from what I’m doing, but the TV distracts me somewhat, especially if it’s something I might be interested in watching. For instance, the other day she popped “Fargo” into the DVD player. It distracted me.
I like listening to music when I work, but it can be distracting sometimes. When I am writing or just messing around online, I can usually listen to anything or even watch TV, tuning it out enough to still get work done. However, when I am coding, I can’t listen to anything with words in it. If I do, it totally messes up my train of thought. Instead, I usually listen to classical music when coding.
It depends on the condition of the work.
If I am designing the database structure and something that I have to think deeply, I can’t listening to music. However, when I put everything down and know what to do, I need R&R, Rap or dance music to speed up my coding. I can code 10x faster with my finger flying. The faster music the fast result.
Music = Massive Distraction.
I need SILENCE to write, blog, or even leave comments. I always get caught up in the lyrics of whatever I am listening to and then I miss out on what I was reading / commenting on!!
But, all other times MUSIC = MOTIVATOR!!!
I agree with Meleah totally-
this actually causes issues with my husband and I. He has music on when he works, his computer is behind mine and it is a huge distraction.
When I am off the computer music usually speeds up my tempo.
For me music works for physical activity and brain work not at all. Unless it is repetitious work on the computer.
I agree with Michelle and Meleah.
I’m usually good with music for design and layout stuff, but when it comes to writing, I need to be able to hear a pin drop. For me, writing is linear. A linear audio stream conflicts with the linear writing stream in my head. The end result is crapola. Graphic design isn’t linear, so music doesn’t bother me. As a matter of fact, design and music go together quite well.
Everyone’s different, but science suggests noise can be a good thing.
I posted on this subject couple years back at an agency that no longer exists, but for some reason the blog I started there still lives. Check it out:
http://www.freshglue.com/fresh_glue/2006/09/noise_is_good.html
Depends what I’m doing. If I’m trying to write a blog post or need to concentrate I can’t have it on. Otherwise I almost always have it going. That or I’m listening to sermons from sermonaudio.com
I listen to Barry White when I write romance blogs.
… and BB king!
Don’t care much for Madonna, but thanks for asking
I have to agree with Michelle and Meleah - music is for physical activity but not brainwork. Well, for me anyway. I’ve noticed my husband can program applications while wearing his headphones and listening to his tunes. I can’t do that. Maybe there is some link between the words in songs or something but it totally distracts me and disturbs my concentration. But when working around the house, cleaning or doing laundry, I love to turn up the tunes. Oh yeah - also in the car, but who needs to concentrate to drive?