For most types of work, it boosts the productivity of your work when you can design your own environment. Off course, there is always a boss that will keep it within limits (otherwise I would play my favorite music at volume 10 instead of 2). But still, your working environment will definitely affect your work.
I can’t imagine working, without having music in my ears. Okay, I can work without music, but I will be more productive when I can listen to my favorite bands jamming their guitars. Big chunks of code seem a lot less stressful with the chords of one of the best guitarists in the world.
Photo by andynahman
Yes, music affects my job, as my complete environment does. That’s the reason why you should think about redesigning your working environment, to suit your needs and wishes. In this article some tips on what you should (re-)consider and what you should keep the way it is.
Music and sound of your environment
Off course, your type of job will be of influence when it comes down to music at your working spot. When I’m free to decide what (and how high the volume will be of the) music I listen to, I will choose different music as I would at my work.
When you’re free to choose your music, practise what music makes you more productive. It should be the type of music that you enjoy, but you don’t have to think about it to enjoy it. Most of the songs that I play when I’m at work, are familiar songs that don’t require me to think about it, in order to enjoy it.
If your desk is in a crowded spot at work, you should consider using headphones, but that is your bosses call to decide whether it’s allowed or not. When you use (quality, not the cheap ones) headphones, you will be one with the music and you have a lot less to focus on. A disadvantage is that people will need to use non-verbal communication in order to contact you…
Take a look around
Sure, not all people are free to move their desk around the room, but if you have the chance then do it! The way you can (or can’t) look around will truly affect your productivity. If you are looking at a crowded street and you can’t keep yourself from looking all day long at what’s happening down there, you should consider turning your desk 180 degrees.
But it can also be a lot more inspiring when you can have a look (from time to time) at a aquarium. Fish can be relaxing to look at and most people think it’s a great way to think about something else for a few seconds and then focus back at their work.
These two examples are nothing more than examples, but they do tell you something to think about. Is your environment suitable to work as productive as you can? Your boss (if you have one) will probably be more than happy to see his employees thinking about how to increase their productivity, so in most cases this should be discussable.
Conclusion
You environment will affect your productivity, so it should be discussable with your boss. I most cases, it will be if you stay realistic. Tell your boss why exactly you’re distracted every time your colleagues walk right next to your desk towards the bathroom.
For most companies (and freelancers) productivity is a important word. That’s the reason why you should improve your environment to suit your needs and wishes. It will keep you (and your boss) happy.
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Music makes me less productive. I have earplugs to insert when I can hear other people’s music, even at the lowest levels where it only sounds like a buzzing mosquito. When they turn it off, it’s like a huge pressure is lifted.
Listening to music can increase your productivity, be as you say it can decrease your productivity too. It depends on your working style and the type of work you do.
That’s why I wrote; “When you’re free to choose your music, practise what music makes you more productive.”
If that means no music, that’s the way to go for you. But for others it can be a gift when they are allowed to listen to their favorite music.
PS. A word of advise for the people that you work with, ask them to buy headphones that do cover their ears. It should keep you from being distracted by their music!
Absolutely, it is killing if other people in your environment keep you from conctentrating. It is also the difficulty from working in larger groups. Some people need the noise around them. Others require absolute silence.
True, once you start thinking about it, your environment is more important as you thought about it before!
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