Do you remember learning about the Mozart Effect in school? This theory says that listening to classical music helps increase productivity. My parents would say to me, “Brad, why don’t listen to some classical music while doing your work?” I just couldn’t focus with music on because I would start writing an essay, then somehow fifteen minutes would go by and I would be thinking about monster trucks or who would win in a fight between the Hulk and the Thing.
First of all, the Hulk would obviously win. He is bigger, he has more rage, he’s green, and he can do it all without the other Fantastic Three. And second of all (to get back on topic), the Hulk should not be in an organizational management essay nor should he be managing an organization. Anyways, I always needed complete silence to get my best work done.
As the years have gone by, I have realized that I will rarely be in a place with complete silence. So, I decided to adapt and give music another shot. When I was younger I tried to listen to classical, rock, and other genres of music. I had it all wrong! I needed to start listening to epic soundtracks to get my best work done! Right now, I am currently listening to a song from Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. It is amazing how easy the creative ideas are flowing out of my head while listening to this type of music. The combination of the exciting rhythm and music along with the fact that these songs bring back great childhood memories really help with my productivity. Yes, I still do have a few bits of distraction here or there, but they are helpful distractions like flying the millenium falcon with Chewbacca or stealing the ring from Frodo so I can have the “Precious” all to myself. These types of distractions lead to an enhanced creativity and imagination.
Dr. Lesiuk, an assistant professor in the music therapy program at the University of Miami conducts research on how music affects workplace performance. One study involving IT specialists found that those who listened to music completed their work quicker and with better ideas than those who didn’t listen to music because the music improved their mood (Lesiuk, Psychology of Music).
“It breaks you out of just thinking one way,” said Lesiuk. “When you’re stressed, you might make a decision more hastily; you have a very narrow focus of attention [and] when you’re in a positive mood, you’re able to take in more options.” Another study with 75 out of 256 workers at a retail company were allowed to listen to music while working. The workers with music showed a 10% increase in productivity over the workers with no music. Also, music with an upbeat rhythm can reduce stress levels by as much as 41%.
If music actually does prove to increase productivity, which type of music is the best? Baroque music that has constant easy beats with light melodies can help increase your concentration, focus, and memorization better than other types of music. Rock music and classical music can help one recognize visual images, letters, and numbers faster than other genres. 
The Star Wars film score station on Pandora, can … well that can help some people think clearer while they recall fantasies of outrunning the large boulder from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
So whether you like classical music, rock, jazz, or epic soundtracks like Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, or Star Wars, you need to find the type of music that helps you become the most productive and creative. Either way you should try listening to some kind of music to block out the many distractions you face daily.