smart computer use?

I’ve recently noticed I have fallen into a sort of “groove” while working at a computer, regarding music.

I find that music, when implemented correctly into my work flow can greatly increase productivity, but at the same time, it can be just as decreasing of productivity when not implemented correctly.

A Few Cases Regarding Music & Productivity

#1 – Fresh work day

Ok, so let’s say that I’m just beginning a day of work and know that I’ll be programming/developing and need to focus.

In this particular case, I’m usually best off if I don’t have any sound going on in the background, even music. Why? I’m not quite sure yet, but it seems that right away in the morning I like to keep the environment peaceful and once I slip into the developer groove.

If all goes well as I start my work for the day, I will fall into the developer groove and zone out to my work, which is what I want to happen. I don’t hear anything going on around me anyways, and in this case, music in the background might actually prevent me from getting into that groove, strangely enough.

In this case, I find it best to not have any music or talk radio to enhance my productivity.

#2 – Later in the work day

Now as the day goes on, I might start to feel a little burned out and start to slip out of the developer groove. This is not a bad thing, it’s just what happens. Hopefully I’ve accomplished quite a bit by this point, usually I have.

Now I’m starting to get distracted by other things at this point in the day. I might even feel like not working at all anymore at this point, and my attitude starts to shift to “cripes, I wish I could just leave and come back later” – but I can’t do that and have to stick it out for a couple more hours.

This is where music can now be a tool to my productivity. I can pop on the earbuds and get some mad Clutch (or insert favorite band here) guitar riffs and vocals going on the MP3 player and all of the sudden I’ve got a little energy boost (without ingesting caffeine!) and can probably still keep working for a while more without needing too much of a break.

Great. So that is a good example of injecting some music to break up a burned out afternoon.

#3 – Working in the evenings or at night

Any web developer will tell you that they are no stranger to pushing work days late into the evening and through the night if needed. Sometimes you are just in that groove and want to keep working since you are holding a good train of thought or ideas and code is just flowing so well.

Well, at the same time, we’re usually getting a little punchy (tired) at this point too, especially if we’ve been working during the day as well.

When I work in the evenings or at night, these are the time when I pretty much never work without music playing.

I almost need it to stay awake. Plus I’ve also probably spent quite a bit of the day in quite solitude (if I had been in a developer groove) and the music changes it up a bit.

I’m not exactly sure why, but I always have music on if I’m working in the evenings or at night, and it keeps me productive and is hardly ever detrimental.

The Lesson

Ok, I’m getting at something here, but I’m not sure what yet, so roll with me on this one.

I’m not saying this pattern of music with work will make you productive. I’m more or less outlining that I have found a “groove” that works well for me. This is half the battle, finding what works well for yourself.

You should pay attention to how music affects your productivity, and then implement it in the best way possible to enhance your productivity. You may already have a good groove for this technique, but haven’t really thought too much about it yet. Now you can!

The Follow-up Example

As I write this, it’s hitting very late afternoon. I’ve been sitting and working in silence all day and have been nicely in the groove.

I’m now starting to slip, and should probably get some Fear Factory going on that MP3 player, haha!