Listen to the Music

I always listen to music when I’m working. While I’m writing this blog, I have some calm songs playing. They are not songs I know. That’s important. If you’re trying to concentrate, you don’t need the music distracting you.

That will happen if you listen to your favourite hip-hop or house music. Your brain will get distracted, and you’ll listen. Before you know it, you’re singing along. Your homework won’t get done. That assignment won’t get written.

So, pick some music you don’t know. Every good music streaming service has playlists you won’t know. Suppose hip-hop is your favourite; stick to that genre. There are plenty of hip-hop musicians you’ve never heard of.

Play their music. Play it at a low volume. An excellent guide to see if it’s too loud is to talk. If you have to shout, the music is too loud. If you can only hear the boom-boom of the bass, it’s too soft.

Is it okay to stop and listen? Of course, that’s what music is for. The moment it takes you away from concentrating on what you’re doing, stop listening and switch your brain back.

That will focus your attention again and give your brain practice at switching between tasks.

Switching between tasks is something our brains are good at.