Sometimes, when we have some thinky work to do, we open the laptop and we do it. Just like that.
The work needs to be done, so we do it.
Other times, we remember those days as if they happened to another person because, try as we might, we just can’t get our brains to co-operate.
So what can we do when we need to think but we simply can’t get focused? Sometimes, we need silence for that. Sometimes, we need a change of scene. And sometimes, we simply need the perfect playlist.
It needs to be something that won’t distract us but keeps the busy, distractable parts of our brains (hope I’m not overwhelming you with the neuroscience here) occupied so we can write what we need to write, or draw what we need to draw, or answer the emails we need to answer.
So, here is a selection of frankly excellent playlists for when you need to work but your brain is refusing. And they were all curated by humans, not algorithms.
Angry classical for writing by MJ
This is a recent discovery of mine and wow, it’s got me through some pieces of work lately! Great if you want something fast and furious as you focus.
ADHD hyperfocus concentration by Underhill Records
Very different vibe here, which promises to be perfect for helping neurodivergent folks to navigate a work day.
Work: focus and concentration by Digster Adria
This playlist is full of pretty chilled, relaxing songs that pootle in the background as you remind your brain how to think.
Music for working at the office by Antonis Kourkomelakis
Lots of gentle songs here, with many acoustic versions, especially designed for those days at the desktop.
Non distracting study playlist by Becka De Santiago
Lovely mixture of music here, and a whopping seven hours of them, so it almost covers your full working day.
Image: Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko