17th June 2024

This week I want to talk about how music motivates you to do or not do something and therefore can be purposely used by you to influence yourself subconsciously. In this way, the melodies and rhythms of your favourite tunes can help motivate you in all areas of your life.
Have you ever noticed how different music motivates you in different ways? Whether feeling stressed, tired, or simply in need of energy, music is usually your go-to source for motivation, as listening to music at certain times or in certain places encourages you to do or not do things.
For example, fast music invigorates you, encourages you and generally motivates you into taking action. But soft and gentle music helps you relax more, by calming your nerves and generally creating a sense of peace and tranquillity within you.
However, instrumental or voiceless music has a different ability, as it helps you focus your mind and drown out any distractions around, which allows you to concentrate on the task in hand and generally be more productive. You can therefore use different music to enhance your actions deliberately like this.
Here are some examples:
- When you wake up, or need a boost of energy otherwise, if you play yourself loud, quick and energetic music, it helps you to feel more positive, or push yourself further
- If you need to stay focused; play some instrumental music to help you concentrate and complete tasks more efficiently; or play voiceless music in the background while studying to help you retain information.
- When you’re feeling overwhelmed or uptight, listening to soft, soothing music helps you calm down or relax, so music like this can be used as a tool for emotional regulation, stress management, or self-care.
But I have assumed that these types of music have the same effects on all people and have not taken into account individual preferences or differences in musical tastes or reactions. There may even be drawbacks for some people in using music as a motivation, focus, or relaxation tool.
So the next time you need a little motivation, turn to your favourite songs and let the power of music guide you. Whether you’re looking to unwind, get pumped up, or stay focused, your music always has a positive ability to affect your mood and productivity in different settings!




