The effect of music in the workplace (or the lack thereof) - GoFuckYourself.com

Amputate Your Head · 05-25-2005, 02:33 PM

I'm always looking for ways to improve production and streamline things.... so I thought I'd try something.
It's not exactly a scientific study..... but I did my own little test here, and worked in complete silence for almost a week.... well, may as well call it a week. (minus the weekend)

Motivation dropped to zero.
Productivity virtually zero.
Creativity, nill.
Screwing around on GFY went up, proportionately with guilt over lack of positive results.

now, it's possible that over time this initial outcome may subside somewhat and take a different direction, but I have to cut my little test short. I can't sacrifice anymore valuable time to wait and see.

Now then... the important thing I gathered from this is, for those of you working in a commercial office versus a home office, if you are forced to work in a silent environment every day, what are the effects of that on your productivity? My guess is probably not as drastic as mine, due to the fact that there are most likely other people around you.... and for owners of those companies, have you considered doing your own similar tests to see if your people produce or work more efficiently with some background music?
I personally believe it is an important factor.

thoughts?

smack · 05-25-2005, 02:34 PM

i cannot get ANYTHING done in silence. i always have something blaring out of my speakers, and when i used to work as a cook, i always wore headphones.

i don't want to work in a world without a melody.

Makingcoin · 05-25-2005, 02:35 PM

http://www.systemofadown.com

bigdog · 05-25-2005, 02:37 PM

if i don't have music, my mind tends to wonder and instead of working i will be checking out espn.com

mrthumbs · 05-25-2005, 02:44 PM

i always work with music on.. but i know im more concentrated and a better performer with the shit off..

Serge Litehead · 05-25-2005, 02:51 PM

I agree with you AMP, productivity greatly depends on the work enviorment and comfort level or absence of such.

at home speakers on
at office headphones or very low level speakers
different projects and tasks with variety of music
lots of java and tobacco

fudpuck · 05-25-2005, 03:00 PM

I have to find a rhythm early in the day, or it winds up being a waste.

camouflaged123 · 05-25-2005, 03:02 PM

No music means my mind is on a stand by mode all day...

ytcracker · 05-25-2005, 04:24 PM

www.ytcracker.com/nes

College Downtime · 05-25-2005, 04:28 PM

I need the tv or radio on to work.... some kind of background noise

jhauser · 05-25-2005, 04:28 PM

I enjoy having tunes as it keeps my pace moving. Time flies by with music.

Drake · 05-25-2005, 04:29 PM

I work with music on too... on occasion the music is off (need some intermittent quiet time especially when focusing on something really important and detailed)

Buddy · 05-25-2005, 04:36 PM

I have to have some music or audio to be productive.
There is a large portion of my brain that is bored out of its uh mind while I am coding. But being a musician I find I can't listen to certain things because I start to pay attention to it and not what I'm doing if the music is too interesting. I find that the best things are the FlashCa$h emerging DJ cd, and books on cd, usually something about physics. That keeps me focused and on task.

StuartD · 05-25-2005, 04:38 PM

I usually have music on here as well, but not always. I vary it up.

JSA Matt · 05-25-2005, 04:40 PM

800 full cds on my harddrive should answer that question

*whip* get back to work, bitch

munki · 05-25-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makingcoin

http://www.systemofadown.com

The new album has been going non stop for 2 days now on my comp...

def. feel the motivation.

New Slipknot's "decent" to.

Roald · 05-25-2005, 04:44 PM

in the (home) office at 9 am, turning on the radio (or whatever) and stop at 6 pm and turn the radio off. Can't live without music

Robx · 05-25-2005, 04:50 PM

A previous career led me carefully study and research how different environments effect productivity, interaction, and concentration. There has been a lot of research done on this topic by people a lot smarter then me.

The short version: Everything effects how people work. Here?s what I found worked best: Change all fluorescent lights to natural, full spectrum lighting; paint the walls light, monotone colors and vary the colours; and, provide a stream of fresh, cool air at all times.

Beyond the environment, I?ve always thought that treating people well, with respect and consideration did far more for productivity then anything else.

05-25-2005, 02:33 PM	#1
Amputate Your Head There can be only one Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Somewhere else Posts: 39,075	The effect of music in the workplace (or the lack thereof) I'm always looking for ways to improve production and streamline things.... so I thought I'd try something. It's not exactly a scientific study..... but I did my own little test here, and worked in complete silence for almost a week.... well, may as well call it a week. (minus the weekend) Motivation dropped to zero. Productivity virtually zero. Creativity, nill. Screwing around on GFY went up, proportionately with guilt over lack of positive results. now, it's possible that over time this initial outcome may subside somewhat and take a different direction, but I have to cut my little test short. I can't sacrifice anymore valuable time to wait and see. Now then... the important thing I gathered from this is, for those of you working in a commercial office versus a home office, if you are forced to work in a silent environment every day, what are the effects of that on your productivity? My guess is probably not as drastic as mine, due to the fact that there are most likely other people around you.... and for owners of those companies, have you considered doing your own similar tests to see if your people produce or work more efficiently with some background music? I personally believe it is an important factor. thoughts? __________________ SIG TOO BIG

05-25-2005, 02:34 PM	#2
smack Push Porn Like Weight. Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Inside .NET Posts: 10,652	i cannot get ANYTHING done in silence. i always have something blaring out of my speakers, and when i used to work as a cook, i always wore headphones. i don't want to work in a world without a melody. __________________ Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.

05-25-2005, 02:35 PM	#3
Makingcoin Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Ditch Posts: 8,919	http://www.systemofadown.com __________________ www.MAKINGCOIN.com icq. 166-662-831 "Start making large coin!" Daddy I Get Paid To Be A Whore - Coming Soon

05-25-2005, 02:51 PM	#6
Serge Litehead Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Behind the scenes Posts: 5,190	I agree with you AMP, productivity greatly depends on the work enviorment and comfort level or absence of such. at home speakers on at office headphones or very low level speakers different projects and tasks with variety of music lots of java and tobacco __________________ SilverCrocodile.com Adult web design since '05 Last edited by Serge Litehead; 05-25-2005 at 02:54 PM..

05-25-2005, 03:00 PM	#7
fudpuck Confirmed User Join Date: May 2004 Location: the woodwork Posts: 885	I have to find a rhythm early in the day, or it winds up being a waste. __________________ AMK Hosting - 3.2Ghz, 1GB RAM, 2x300GB RAID1 + 10Mbps for $249mo. ICQ: 15898919 - Ask me about remote backups for your data.

05-25-2005, 02:37 PM	#4
bigdog Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 6,964	if i don't have music, my mind tends to wonder and instead of working i will be checking out espn.com

05-25-2005, 02:44 PM	#5
mrthumbs salad tossing sig guy Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: mrthumbs*gmail.com Posts: 11,702	i always work with music on.. but i know im more concentrated and a better performer with the shit off..

05-25-2005, 03:02 PM	#8
camouflaged123 Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,590	No music means my mind is on a stand by mode all day... __________________ HIGHEST PAYING PHARMACY AFFILIATE PROGRAM IS HERE! 1 order a day=$1710/month

05-25-2005, 04:24 PM	#9
ytcracker stc is the greatest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: rip sean murray Posts: 12,403	www.ytcracker.com/nes __________________ www.ytcracker.com \| www.digitalgangster.com i love you

05-25-2005, 04:28 PM	#10
College Downtime Confirmed User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 557	I need the tv or radio on to work.... some kind of background noise __________________ College Downtime.com

05-25-2005, 04:28 PM	#11
jhauser Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,924	I enjoy having tunes as it keeps my pace moving. Time flies by with music. __________________ TopBucks.com\| PlugInFeeds.com\| PinkVisual.com I am not one of those girls that go Mobi ing around my mobile solution is for you and you only. icq 175789972

05-25-2005, 04:29 PM	#12
Drake Hello world! Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,508	I work with music on too... on occasion the music is off (need some intermittent quiet time especially when focusing on something really important and detailed)

05-25-2005, 04:36 PM	#13
Buddy Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FlashCa$h Headquarters Posts: 1,828	I have to have some music or audio to be productive. There is a large portion of my brain that is bored out of its uh mind while I am coding. But being a musician I find I can't listen to certain things because I start to pay attention to it and not what I'm doing if the music is too interesting. I find that the best things are the FlashCa$h emerging DJ cd, and books on cd, usually something about physics. That keeps me focused and on task. __________________ -165486536 Disce quotidie * Ride quotidie * Ama quotidie * Cresce quotidie FlashCa$h Who the hell am I?

05-25-2005, 04:38 PM	#14
StuartD Sofa King Band Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Outside the box Posts: 29,903	I usually have music on here as well, but not always. I vary it up. __________________ This is me on facebook This is me on twitter

05-25-2005, 04:40 PM	#15
JSA Matt So Fucking Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 5,464	800 full cds on my harddrive should answer that question whip get back to work, bitch

05-25-2005, 04:44 PM	#17
Roald SecretFriends.com Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Location: IMC Headquarters Posts: 27,887	in the (home) office at 9 am, turning on the radio (or whatever) and stop at 6 pm and turn the radio off. Can't live without music __________________ WE ARE BUYING PAY SITES! CONTACT ME ClubSweethearts \| ManUpFilms \| SinfulXXX \| HOT * AdultPrime * HOT Paying webmasters since 1996! Contact: r.riepen @ sansylgroup.com \| telegram: roaldr

05-25-2005, 04:50 PM	#18
Robx Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The middle of nowhere Posts: 357	A previous career led me carefully study and research how different environments effect productivity, interaction, and concentration. There has been a lot of research done on this topic by people a lot smarter then me. The short version: Everything effects how people work. Here?s what I found worked best: Change all fluorescent lights to natural, full spectrum lighting; paint the walls light, monotone colors and vary the colours; and, provide a stream of fresh, cool air at all times. Beyond the environment, I?ve always thought that treating people well, with respect and consideration did far more for productivity then anything else. __________________ Contact Us About Getting Your Paysites Exposed To Millions Of People On The Peer To Peer Networks! ICQ 124-249-781