I’m a writer.
As a creative, my natural state is prone to distraction. The next big idea comes up, and it’s hard to stay in a flow state or accomplish the task I first set out to do.
I’ve learned to accept this as a strength, but work on the weak areas by studying techniques for tip-top focus when writing.
And MUSIC is one of the best avenues I’ve found to help my focus stay on track. First off, I’ve stopped trying to get into a flow state when music with words is playing. I can do basic admin work to anything, but when it comes to cranking out a first draft, editing, researching, or any other piece of the copywriting process, I need pure music unhindered by words.
Maybe it’s because I’m writing, and I need the words to come out of my mind instead of from the music. Regardless, classical/ instrumental music is my top genre on Spotify (because writing’s like, my life and stuff.)
So I created two playlists with compilations of my favorite songs. Feel free to grab them on Spotify, and read on to check out other artists and playlists I follow!
Get In the Zone
This playlist is solely classical music. I play it on surround sound in my office, in my Airpods, or straight from my computer speakers. Each method of listening has a different impact on my mental state (all good!) But regardless, within 30 seconds of starting this music, I can enter a writing flow state.
It’s possible that I’ve just trained myself to enter a flow state with classical music. That’s certainly part of the impact. However, I don’t think I could have trained myself to this level of focus with rock or pop music (no offense!)
Listen to The Transformative Power of Classical Music by Benjamin Zander if you want more insight into the reason I love classical music so much.
Here’s the playlist:
Write Fast
Sometimes I’ve had one (okay, three) cups of coffee and I feel like I could run a writing marathon. Or some days the slow music is just too slow.
That’s when I crank up the REAL kicker… and I call it “write fast” because I end up hunching over the keyboard, pecking furiously and staring at my Google Doc like it’s my arch enemy.
Here ya go:
More Great Playlists
I listen to all of the following playlists regularly. While I didn’t create these playlists, whoever was the architect “just gets” me and my writing process.
These playlists feature more classical beats and one Celtic fiddle playlist (my guilty pleasure).
A caveat…
One exception to my no-words rule (once in a blue moon) is music with words in a different language. Here are two playlists I sometimes revert to when writing if I want to change it up a bit.
Otherwise, I listen to these playlists in the car and must frighten some poor souls who stare at me at stoplights and watch my face as I try to copy the artists’ words.
Happy writing!