Music and Motivation

May 17th, 2007 · 3 Comments

One of the most recognizable guitar introductions is the Doobie Brothers’s China Grove. Driving, pulsing, solid beats blasting from the speakers. WOW! Music can be a real motivator, when the beat, the rhythm, and the words are right.

Runners and cyclist use music to set a rhythm, bringing up the pace as they get in better shape. Doctor and dentist’s offices use music to set a mood that is soothing, peaceful, and relaxing. Retail stores play classic rock to put the Boomers in a good mood to spend their money, and restaurants … well, don’t get me started on restaurants. That’s a rant for another day.

Music in an office setting also sets a mood, whether good or bad, so think about the music you play at work. It needs to improve productivity while maintaining some decorum. I have visited many offices that don’t spend enough time thinking about this aspect of their business’ impression.

Music to not play at work:

Blues (tends toward depression)
Punk (sets wrong mood)
Acid (are you nuts?)
Opera (too high-falutin’)
Rap (Duh!)
Show Tunes (please …)
Rod Stewart (the Redhead’s rule)
Disco (’nuf said)

Preferred choice for music:

Jazz (instrumental only)
Pop (light and soft)
C&W (again softly)
Classical (choose wisely)
Classic Rock (Southern preferred)

Businesses spend a lot of time and money on their image and branding, just to have a visitor assaulted by loud, inappropriate music. Have your reviewed your music policy lately? Maybe it’s time.

Photo Attribution: Dwight McCann/Chumash Casino Resort/www.DwightMcCann.com

[tags]music, motivation, mood[/tags]

Tags: Motivation

3 responses so far ↓

1 Dave J. (64 comments.) // May 17, 2007 at 12:23 pm

‘Course it depends on why the music is playing. Motivating myself is different than motivating other staff, is different than entertaining clients.

Hey, and Blues is NOT depressing! Any more than country is, anyway. I hate those drippy country songs.
2 Larry Hendrick // May 17, 2007 at 2:57 pm

Dave, you’re correct.

Once a manager told me the music was for the employees, not the customers. It was so loud, the Redhead and I couldn’t talk about the products we were looking at. We left and spent our money somewhere else.

Now don’t get me wrong about the blues. I love many of the artists, but you have to be really careful with it in an office setting.
3 Ami(new comment) // Oct 4, 2008 at 11:44 pm

The O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money” ALWAYS motivates me