Music is the key to focus…for me anyway!
Sitting on a plane, opening up your laptop seems like an ideal place to get some work done! The movies make it seem so simple and something to strive for when flying out for business or pleasure. Today, I sat down in aisle 29, seat B and slowly watched as the nightmare next door neighbour passengers made their way in front, behind and next to me! An extremely excitable bride in the back who’s voice could rival any loud talker, a mom of 2 young children (they watch their children’s shows on their iPads without earphones and their mom sings, poorly, to try to soothe them—this does not work). And then, a gentleman who’s already complained to another passenger that he’s squishing his luggage in the upper cargo compartment in a very aggressive, tone that’s uncomfortable to everyone else. This does not seem like a productive environment and feels hopeless until that ‘seat belt fastened’ light comes off! Faster than you can say “go”, I’ve got my earphones and my laptop out. I plug the earphones in, select my favourite playlist on iTunes and get typing. What first seemed like an impossible situation slowly develops into the ideal pod for 4 hours of complete productivity!
While not for everyone, music provides the perfect arena for me to find razor sharp focus. Music is my go to and I know I’m not alone! I’m brought back to an episode of Grey’s Anatomy where McDreamy’s requests for his favourite music to be played as he performs complex surgical procedures is central to the plot line. Truth be told, that’s not reality, but on August 6th, Vice published an article describing actual studies that listed positive outcomes (relaxation, accuracy…) and concerns (distraction, need for repetition between nurses and doctors…) of music played during surgeries. A whopping 16 out of 20 surgeons played music during one of the studies, confirming that it’s a preference among the profession. The study and the article conclude that it’s likely not a matter of if you listen to music or not that’s linked to negative effects but the type of music you listen to. White noise, ambient music and classical tend to be ideal. For me, I opt for my favourite Songza playlist: Acoustic Versions of Pop Songs. My favorites from the playlist include the following (give it a listen – it’s free if you’re connected to wifi, or download any of them on iTunes):
- Stay With Me by Jasmine Thompson
- I Won’t Give Up by Lennon
- Let Her Go by Jasmine Thompson
- Into The Dark by Spencer Barnett
- Dancing Queen by Frank Turner
- XO by John Mayer
- Chariot (Stripped Version) by Gavin DeGraw
- Crazy by Daniela Andrade
- Mirrors by Andrew Ripp
- Higher Love by James Vincent McMorrow
- Watcha Say by Michael Schulte
- Ignition (Remix) by The Wind and The Wave
- Call Your Girlfirend by Lucy Wainwright Roche
- The Girl (Acoustic) by City and Colour
- Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready) by City and Colour
- Not Over You Acoustic Cover by Collin McLoughlin
- When I Was Your Man (Feat. Fifth Harmony) by Boyce Avenue
- Mirrors (Feat. Fifth Harmony) by Boyce Avenue
- Sweet Child O’ Mine by Jasmine Thompson
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay by Sara Bareilles
- Kiss Me by Jason Walker
- Princess Of China (Acoustic) by Coldplay & Rihanna
- I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by Sleeping At Last
- Nothin’ On You / My Love / Rocketeer by Boyce Avenue
- It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday by Jason Mraz
- How To Save A Life (Live From Soho) by The Fray
- Use Somebody by Laura Jansen
- Bad Blood (Live Piano Version) by Bastille
- Wonderwall by Ryan Adams
- Sunday Morning by Maroon 5
- Billie Jean by The Civil Wars
- We Can’t Stop (Feat. Bea Miller) by Boyce Avenue
- Chasing Pavements (Live At The Hotel Cafe) by Adele
- Latch by Daniela Andrade
- Never Gonna Leave This Bed (Acoustic) by Maroon 5
- Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Boom Clap by Lennon & Maisy
- Time After Time by The Wind and The Wave
- Titanium by Jasmine Thompson
- Dancing In The Dark by Ruth Moody
- Shots (Acoustic (Piano) / Live From The Smith Center / Las Vegas) by Imagine Dragons
- All Of Me by Spencer Barnett
- Skinny Love by Birdy
- Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Jack Johnson
- We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off by Ella Eyre
- Chandelier by The Wind and The Wave
- The Scientist by Jenny & Tyler
- Demons (Acoustic Live In London) by Imagine Dragons
- Hallelujah by Spencer Barnett
For you, it might be different or it may be nothing at all. My point is this: any environment can be the perfect work setting, you just have to make it work for you. For someone like me who prefers a quiet work environment, have your headphones ready, download a relaxing playlist and hit play.
