Music has a strong connection with our moods, emotions and actions in a positive and negative way, but a lot of the time we don’t think much about it. What would happen if we think about it in a more considered way, to actively plan to use music for our benefit and to avoid any negatives?
In this episode we’re looking at ….
- The effect of music on our moods and emotions
- How music can benefit us
- How you can actively use music as a tool to help you reach your goals
So if you want to be more motivated, confident and creative as you work your way towards your new career and life goals, this episode is for you!
Pop in your earphones, tap play and settle into this musical feast...
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Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.businessinsider.com/listening-to-music-at-work-can-make-you-more-productive-2018
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201908/music-emotion-and-well-being
https://www.bose.ca/en_ca/better_with_bose/music-motivates-you.html
https://makingmusicmag.com/music-motivation/
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Have you ever heard a song and imagined you were right back there where you last heard it or a time of significance when the song had played? Music taps into the emotion of that moment and the song or piece of music is forever related to an emotion, happy or sad and everything in between.
We do have to be careful of music that brings us down. Sometimes we want to play something that matches our mood, but music associated with bad memories or negative lyrics and an angry or depressing tempo can bring our mood spiralling down further, so it’s better not to listen to anything at all if you can’t face more positive lyrics.
We all know music can be a huge motivator! When you go into any gym, dance tunes will be booming out to keep the members energised and focussed. Have you ever noticed how much better your morning run gets when you put in headphones and turn on your favorite song? This is because music is able to increase stimulation, as there’s a connection between auditory neurons and motor neurons.
So music can make you more positive, motivated, energised and productive. It helps you go that extra mile, and helps you relax and de-stress when needed.
But it also can bring you down if not used in the right way. It’s a powerful direct link to our brain and emotions, so don’t leave what you are listening to to chance!
Make it work for you. Use it as a tool that you can take out when you need it most.
Interested? Here are some ideas for you to try….
Find a power song
A Power Song is a song that you always play when you need a boost of energy or positivity. It’s lyrics, tune and tempo need to reflect the emotions and mindset you want to achieve whenever you listen to it. It will be personal to you, where you are right now in your life and what you are aiming for.
When you have a ‘go to’ song or piece of music it can have an immediate impact on your mood, confidence and motivation. Once you have that one track down, you can listen to it when you are on your way to that dream job interview, or when you start that new job you can listen to it before you walk in the doors and knock them dead. If you’re giving an in person speech or having to present online, a quick burst of your power song to yourself before you get started can get you in the right mindset and energy level to capture their attention straight away.
If you’re currently still in your 9-5 dreaming of taking your leap , and are doubting that you have the ability, strength or knowledge to go for your new career, side hustle or business; hit play, dial up the volume and start believing in yourself and your mission.
Your Power Song does not have to remain the same. Sometimes a positive song can get a negative connection if you have listened to it and then experienced something that was not so nice. Also, the lyrics or music to one song may work with a particular time in your life but that then changes and you need something new. For example, if you had a song like ‘I will survive’ as your theme song during a difficult time but then got through that time, you would then need a different message for your new vision of success.
So switch it up as soon as you realise it does not quite resonate anymore and go for a fresh new track that gets your heart beating, your feet tapping and fills you with self belief and confidence!
So, think about what your mission is, what’s your vision for your future, what’s the burning passion you want to work with everyday that will bring you the future you deserve?
Then choose a song that instinctively you know reflects all you want to achieve.
Create a mood and confidence boosting playlist
Yes, you can access fully curated lists on Spotify, Amazon music or stitcher which are great for a quick fix, but you really should take the time to put together a playlist of your own. Have you ever been listening to a playlist that you subscribed to and have been frustrated because you only like half the tunes on it and have to skip a few . You should create at least one playlist that has all the songs that make you happy, give you confidence and have a message you want to keep front and center in your brain.
You can put this playlist on when you are exercising in the morning, or on your commute or getting ready for your day. It’s a great way to help you focus on your vision, what you want to achieve and to kick off your day in the right mindset.
You also need a personal playlist for while you work
What you listen to CAN affect how you work. Did you know that music can help boost your productivity by keeping your mood and energy buzzing when you listen to music you love?
It can also make you more creative. Dr Teresa Lesiuk from the University of Miami said in an Insider article that listening to music you like activates the pleasure center in your brain, and "a particular pathway through the limbic system up to the orbital frontal cortex, which is your thinking area, is stimulated." The effect of this stimulation is an improvement in creative problem solving, she says.
The same Bose article I mentioned earlier said that a 2019 study found that when you’re prepping for a big presentation or trying to plough through a pile of paperwork before a client meeting, music activates your brain’s “reward centre”, which makes you extra motivated to absorb information and get in the zone.
So put together a playlist that you can play while you work. It’s usually said that ambient and natural melodies are best for productivity, and light pop music can put you in a motivated mood.
But Watch out, as the wrong music can distract you. So nothing with too high a tempo and keep the sound level as a background sound rather than pumping out your favourite tunes at the maximum! Also, any music you don’t like can be annoying and affect your work, so having your colleague’s music blaring out will not be helpful if you don’t like it.
Finally, If you're doing something that requires extreme focus, music can hinder your performance and be more distracting than helpful. So maybe at that point, change to classical music or turn it down really low or off completely.
Create another playlist for when you need to de-stress or calm yourself
Music is a natural sleep aid and anxiety reliever. But as with the music that helps you work: The music you choose to help you chill has to be relaxing to you.
Choose music that matches the mood you’re aiming for . If you’re stressed about a big work deadline, and your heart is racing, opt for tunes with a slow beat. Having trouble drifting off to sleep? Play instrumental music so there’s no chance of song lyrics making your mind wander.
The Bottom Line..
Music can be a powerful mood booster and motivator but can also bring back bad memories or amplify negative emotions, so don’t leave it to chance! Choose your Power Song and create the playlists that are guaranteed to get you in the right mindset for new challenges, productive and creative work and relaxation. You will benefit ten-fold from the time it takes to set up the playlists!
Happy listening and hope you can join me for the next episode! and remember, everyone deserves to live their passion, so get started this is your time!
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Join me in the next episode and remember, everyone deserves to live their passion, so get started this is your time!
