How does Music impacts our productivity

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I always find myself listening to music while working and sometimes I stop to wondering if this by any means reduces my productivity since I'm in some sense sharing my concentration, some on the my word and the other on the sound pumping through my headphones. This lead me to do a little research to discover how: an employee in a factory, a researcher on a daunting hypothesis or a regular student preparing for final exams can be stimulated to do more under the influence of great music. 

Toyota, Japan; Company Robot playing instruments. Reference

Bob Marley highlighted one of the most powerful feature about the art form when he penned the words "One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain!" Or do You?... Powerful lyrics can regenerate memories in an instant ; memories you cherish, reignite  childish smile; thoughts you would delete, backspace or undo in an heartbeat can easily resurface through the art.

Music was my motivation while working on Robotic Wind Turbine featured on National TV
On my Journey to Seattle for the Global Research Competition with music I won before I got there

Viale Ciro Menotti, Italy; home of the Maserati listed among Forbes 10 most expensive cars in 2011, a first class factory where engineers work along with Robots, assembling some of the world’s most luxurious machines. What I find a lot more intriguing than the technology this factory possesses is the fact that the factory managers master the art of motivating the work force that built this a billion dollar company. Technicians, Engineers, Project Managers..., all coordinate with robots towering over their heads and more importantly mind soothing music radiating in the background. Wherever the sound of machines predominates the atmosphere assemblers would have headphones plugged to the shoulder of their Maserati suits (overall) which and share the same music among the assembly line. 

Not only does music increase productivity but here are some facts, in my opinion, that neither coffee, redbull nor five hour energy can compete with: Have you ever wonder why your favorite Friday night restaurant plays some of the most hip songs? 

Upbeat music makes you hyper, it takes your mind away and it gives you something to nod to; in return this makes you order another drink, add an appetizer or buy more time with a longer conversation. Unconsciously, your brain is forgets of your bed laden with books, your boss' irritating voice, your roommate’s annoying attitude, the assignments that are due or the dreaded 9-5. A Cuddies, TGIF, MoBay Hip Strip or a new Kingston restaurant manipulates this unconscious thought and allures you to stay a little longer and spend a little more with their musical selection. On the other hand an Italian Restaurant, a Cocoro Japanese Cuisine or a Rick's Cafe will capture your time by slowing down the tempo and allow your brain to absorb the ambiance, the delight in the taste buds or the beauty of the Sunset with a laid back classical or Japanese instrumentals.

Do-es and Don't-s of Music and work

It is renowned, music without words are twice as powerful as its counterpart. Your brain is naturally creative; why limit your thought with that of others? Music with words, restricts the right-side of your brain which is responsible for your creative nature. In reality, there is no such thing as 'multi-tasking'... No, you cannot drive and text, you cannot sing while listening, you cannot read and talk, and the list goes on. The brain does events serially: one after the other. The brain is most efficient when doing a single task, you are therefore produce a greater quality in less time when working on a single activity. When you elude yourself in thinking you’re doing two tasks at once, you produce half the quality and take twice the time. That's why you text slower while you drive yet with more typos and more car accidents; you sing and 'hear' not sing and listen, and you read and talk without understanding what you've just read. When you 'multi-task' something has to give.

Music without words (instrumentals) increases productivity by inducing a rhythmic pattern in the way you work and reduce random thoughts that would distract from the activity you're undertaking. 

Music was a big contributor to my success during college. Here's my Graduation Story

Humans are spiritual beings we get: lonely, stress, confused, and hyper at random times without obvious reasons. Instrumentals or Music without words you don't understand soothes the minds and keeps it enchanted, Classical music is extensively appraised for such effect. Enya is an artist who exemplifies the effects music with words you don't understand  has on the mind. She uses words but due to the way she enunciates, the mind can't readily understands hence activates the creative centers in your brain which which induces its own creative thoughts to the sound she makes and proportionally propels productivity.

Musical therapy might not apply for the surgeon undertaking an intricate surgery on a pair of Siamese twins since music can play on your emotions and induce unpredictable actions. Consider the instrumental piece  played at the ending of your favorite movie,  saga, or series that rolls back thoughts of the entire show or the emotions as your voice echos out of tune during your karaoke sessions while having a bath. My post on the impact of Exercise on productivity will 'remidify' the working environment where music is considered a distraction such as would be the case with the Surgeons. I had piano lessons for five years in the 1990s, guitars on the other hand, I love but never gotten the chance to play.  I have an immense appreciation for quality music and the artists responsible for ensuring the art form stay alive. An artistic generation builds a creative nation and a creative nation natures ingenious creations - Kimroy Bailey.

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