by Lisa Pickering

Created on: March 26, 2009

Like numerous people in today's economy, I can't stand my job....but I am happy to have one. Therefore one of the only things at work that keeps me sane is being able to listen to music. I am constantly dealing with stressful scenarios and disagreeable people and music allows me to escape such things. I listen to Pandora (an online music website that plays a mix of whatever styles of bands you like) softly at my desk. I usually keep it on a mix of Tom Petty, The Pixies, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and an 80's mix to shake things up a bit. As long as you are not listening to music that is inappropriate for those around you, I don't see any problem in creating a pleasant work environment with some good jams.

Now if I had to listen to horrible light contemporary rock elevator music all day then I might consider that stressful. That kind of music I can only deal with on a very small level. However, since I can pick my tunes I find it to be soothing and entertaining. In fact I would be bored to death if I had to sit in silence at my desk and listen to the background noise. I think listening to music also enables me to do a better job. It makes me happy, and I work ten times better when I'm happy. People also like me a lot more when I'm happy and pleasant to be around. I might even start to sing along and at times I have even recommended karaoke Wednesdays at work.

Of course it's all a manner of perspective. I would listen to music every second of every day if I could, except when I'm trying to sleep. Even if I have a headache, which I often do during work, I still incorporate music into my everyday routine. There are few things that calm me in this world. Music is number one, followed by driving with music in the car of course, working out, and on some occasions, drinking. I have never been thrown off my game at work by listening to music, at some points I even forget that it's on. Some people can't work with such distractions. I find that my concentration increases if I have something secondary to my work in the background. That's why there is music in doctor's offices and at the mall. People like such stimulation and thrive off of it. That is one of the reasons I think that internet radio is so important and is so utilized. People are happy when they are listening to happy things. People work better and harder if they are happy. I think if every office supported music while you work, it would be a happier world that was more efficient.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Pickering.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.