What are you listening to at work?

18 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 10,2019 at 4:32PM UTC

   Just an observation, no judgement. But do you wear headphones? If so, wouldn't that discourage someone from walking up and engaging you in a conversation (work related or not)? Work cultures differ so this may not be a relevant question in your environment. Just really curious. Thanks.

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2. AnonymousApril 10,2019 at 5:54PM UTC

   I definitely feel like thats something within your company culture and also which department you're in. For example I've always worked in start up cultures and on the tech team. Headphones are very essential items for us haha.

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3. Courtney KleinApril 11,2019 at 3:42PM UTC

   It's a little different for me now because I have my own office, but in my last position I worked in an open environment. This did not lend itself to my type of work at all for several reasons... My division was next to our IT team which was comprised of very nice but also very loud people. I was a security intelligence analyst, and this required a LOT of concentration, which was nearly impossible when they were discussing Game of Thrones or which Pringles flavor was best (they really were great people... just very loud). I used headphones as a way to signal to others that I needed to concentrate and didn't WANT to be bothered. It didn't work all that well, as people would frequently start talking to me about unnecessary things, but if I didn't respond (usually because I was too deep in my work), they would leave. However, if they needed me for something important they would get my attention. The VP of my division sat directly behind me and she figured out that if she stood in just the right place I could see her on my third monitor. Worked like a charm. It's a culture and job-requirement thing, at the end of the day.

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4. AnonymousApril 10,2019 at 4:45PM UTC

   The "morning commute" playlist on Spotify is great. I actually don't use it for commuting, I use it while I'm at work.

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5. Courtney KleinApril 11,2019 at 3:45PM UTC

   I usually listen to podcasts (I'm a true crime addict), largely because I find music weirdly distracting. However, on the right days, I like to "Youtube trek." Choose a song I like, click on a playlist that includes it, and just ride it out. I've discovered a lot of really good music this way. One artist I discovered through this method is Barnes Courtney. Never would've heard him otherwise!

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6. Melinda GirardApril 11,2019 at 10:45PM UTC

   I generally don't listen to music while I work as I find it distracting, but when I do, I opt for something in the new age, tranquil sphere. The same music I listen to when meditating or doing yoga.

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7. AnonymousApril 12,2019 at 3:15PM UTC

   Now that my job is job searching, I have the luxury of listening to KEXP, a Seattle-based, listener-supported alternative rock station. Hands down, the best radio station on the planet, especially their morning show, hosted by John Richards.

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8. Mistress of MinitabApril 12,2019 at 4:30PM UTC

   My current consulting job is located onsite at the client and I have been given a cubicle on a main hallway. I have the only cube that opens to the hall so it is relatively quiet most times, but at others it's like grand central station! Though I am very good at concentrating on my work and tuning out the rest of the world, I wear earplugs all day so I can drown out the conversations happening on the other side of my cubicle and out in the hallway. Most people don't see the earplugs because they hide under my hair and the cable blends in with the multiple monitor cords. Folks know to stand in the entrance and I will eventually see them.

   Because I enter and analyze a ton of data, I found that music with understandable words disrupts my concentration. I find myself paying more attention to the songs and not my data and observations. What works really well for me is listening to classical music and opera. There are some really rousing classical compositions that I can get bouncing to. I find that I can do repetitive data entry in time to the music almost like playing the piano. Some of my favorite composers are Grieg and Liszt. And have you ever listened to the opera "Carmen"? Just WOW. And the comic opera "The Marriage of Figaro" is always fun.

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9. Explorer709996April 12,2019 at 8:07PM UTC

   I prefer classical music. It helps me concentrate, think and energizes me. My modern favorites are Bond, Ottmar Liebert, Gary Lamb, and Michael Logozar.

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10. Sidney BristowApril 12,2019 at 10:31PM UTC

    I listen to birds. Seriously. There are hours of birdsong on YouTube, for those just like me who find birds to be a pick-me-up.

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11. AnonymousApril 17,2019 at 2:53PM UTC

    My "Tastebreakers" playlist on Spotify is great! I love almost every song.

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12. PapeshjApril 18,2019 at 3:12PM UTC

    I listen to Starbucks music on youtube, Happy Coffee music. Jazz

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13. Sierra ModroApril 18,2019 at 6:33PM UTC

    I listen to instrumental jazz music, especially Chilled Jazz on Spotify. I can’t listen to anything with words or I will be singing along in about 3 seconds.

    I live downtown, and I also sometimes just open the window and listen to street sounds.

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14. Jean BartzApril 23,2019 at 2:04PM UTC

    I listen to a Pandora station based on the soundtrack to the movie Avatar - so it mostly plays movie scores. I can't listen to music with words or I get distracted (read; I sing along), but classical or movie scores are nonoffensive, can be played quietly in the background without disturbing colleagues when I'm in an office, and are soothing when I'm dealing with stressful situations.

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15. Sue DeRosierApril 24,2019 at 7:07PM UTC

    I only listen to acoustic light jazz when I need to block everyone out and write. I am one of those people that cannot write if someone is talking or there is music or news or someone speaking words anywhere. :)

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16. HILYEDUCATEDApril 25,2019 at 8:34PM UTC

    I listen to a station that plays a variety of multi generation of pop songs. I hear songs from the time period of 70's to now. Just never know what will be played until it is played. It isn't so important as to what people play as to how loud they play their music. It should not interfere with any phone conversations or person to person conversations especially when working in a cubicle environment. Volume is the key and what is playing is second, keep it clean and dignified you are at work.

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17. Maria Elena Martinez-SweatApril 25,2019 at 10:54PM UTC

    I recommend Loreena McKennitt, she is amazing and one of my absolute favorite artists. A great album to start with, can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/album/5wNmwt7aIuoGltC3N2kJ0V?si=8e8641t8TFGKURynU8pjGw

    Enjoy!

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18. Maria Elena Martinez-SweatApril 25,2019 at 11:01PM UTC

    For those worried about coming across as "disconnected" by wearing headphones, a common practice at my office building is to have a small mirror mounted in front of you. Doing so allows you to see who is walking up to you. Stick-on mirrors in many different shapes can be found at most retailers or online.

    I used to have about 9 different stick-on mirrors at my desk before I went remote. They looked more like decor and I used to get compliments on them all the time. The mirrors were different sized circles that when arranged randomly, gave the illusion of bubbles. Now the only co-workers that creep up on me are my two persian kitties :)

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