How Making A Playlist Will HelpYou Be More Productive

I love music. Most people do. But I don’t just love it. I use it.

I’m a writer. I write screenplays and stage plays. And every single one of my scripts has an unofficial soundtrack.

Music helps me get into character, set the tone, and feel the theme of the story.

If I’m writing about a family in the middle of the Ozark wilderness you better believe my playlist will have bluegrass and old school country. If I’m writing about a family in 17th century Scotland, I’ll listen to Scottish folk music, bagpipes, and folk-pop.

If the story is sad, the playlist is sadder. If the story is happy, so are the songs I listen to. If the script has edgy, cool, and angsty characters, the playlist includes The Smiths.

In other words, playlists help me be productive. I feel the songs and they help me create my characters, dialogue, and plot points. The playlist and script inform each other. They’re a team.

But I’ve realized that this can be useful for other things. For example, while studying for my comprehensive exams at the end of my course load for my dissertation, I made a playlist. I thought about things that would make me feel energized, happy, and powerful.

So the playlist was mainly just music from every iteration of Superman property in existence.

We’re talking Superman the Movie, Superman The Animated Series, Smallville, Supergirl, Man of Steel… You get the idea. Because Superman inspires me. So I listened to Superman music while I studied for the exam. (And I passed!)

I also made a playlist for my actual dissertation. My dissertation topic is about ..well… it’s on monster hunting. Specifically American cryptids and cryptid tourism.

So my playlist has songs about monsters, American folk songs, and of course “Take Me Home (Country Roads).” Because that song is about West Virginia and the Mothman lives in West Virginia. Duh.

My point is, when I’m working on my dissertation, I put on my playlist and get to work. The songs motivate me and get me in the mood.

Neuroradiologist Jonathan Burdette claims that “Music is primal. It affects all of us, but in very personal, unique ways. Your interaction with music is different than mine, but it’s still powerful.”

There have been several studies analyzing the effect music has on the brain. Researchers have found that listening to certain songs alter the brain’s ability to connect to different areas of itself. Specifically, the connection between the regions of the brain responsible for memory and social emotion with the auditory brain areas.

Tap into that connection and explore how it might help you be more productive in your own life.

Not everyone reacts to music the same way I do. But workout playlists are super popular. People listen to motivational music to run or lift weights because it pumps them up and makes them feel like that can do it.

Writing, studying, and working playlists are the same.

If listening to the Rocky theme helps you run that last half mile… see if it helps you finish up that last expense report you have to write.

Our brains sometimes need help. Just a little boost. I understand that for some, music with lyrics may be distracting. If that’s the case, find instrumental songs that represent the mood or themes of whatever you’re working on. If you need to make a playlist every day… do it.

Making a playlist is half the fun anyway. Choosing songs and creating a soundtrack is a creative outlet. It’s a form of expression. That act alone may help you get in the zone.

Our brain’s reaction to music is powerful. That sort of power should be used, not wasted. Make a playlist and see how much it changes your experience or production output.

You probably make a playlist for the road tips, why not make them for everything else? For creative writing, scholarly writing, technical writing, financial writing, or any other activity.

Paying your bills? Make a playlist!

Researching your next project? Make a playlist!

Balancing your budget? Make a playlist!

Talking out the trash? Make a playlist!

When in doubt... Make a playlist!

What the worst that can happen? You have a ton of new playlists to choose from when preparing for any activity in your life? Sounds like a dream.