Music has become my way to reset my brain and alter my energy, so I work with maximum efficiency. Particularly during a mid-afternoon slump or to combat a distracting mood.

This is entirely based on my own experience of learning how to work as a freelance copywriter. Nothing scientifically based, or even consciously investigated. I just realised the other day that I’d subconsciously developed a strategy to change my energy through my music choice.

Learning to work alone

Becoming a freelancer required many adjustments. Without good colleagues to point out things like, “You don’t hate everything, you’re just hangry,” we need to know ourselves quite well.

I genuinely love the uninterrupted solitude of being able to concentrate on my own. But when you’re working with other people (in a positive situation) they often provide the little things that keep you going through the day; a good laugh, sympathetic ear, quick chat about something unrelated to work, even a wee hug.

You now need to get those tiny energy bumps from another source.

Long-time biscuit lover…and other options

Obviously, my first port of call was biscuits, but they have other, unwanted consequences!

I also recently discovered that actual physical movement, like walking the dog, is good for my work. But it’s not always the right time for that.

Podcasts, videos and programmes are great because I usually learn something and feel like I’m part of a group again. But they often lead my mind off into another direction entirely.

I just need a speedy zap of something…

And music is that thing!

Why music?

In the past, I’ve always had music on during study times, so it’s a familiar constant.

Not only that, but it taps into school experiences of singing in choirs and playing timpani in orchestras – disciplined practice leading to really joyful collective experiences. Kind of a ‘expend energy to make energy’ thing.

Also connects me to slightly more blurry memories of being ‘out out’ in my youth (which I’m starting to think of as ‘the olden days’!). With great mates, on the dancefloor, that sense of throwing off your cares and being in the music – still very easy to summon during my desk discos.

(I sooooo wish I’d coined that phrase, I saw it on twitter, forgot to screenshot it and now can’t remember who said it. Please let me know if you do.)

DJ Content Copy Writer is born

Worst DJ name ever, I’m aware! I do have some standard ‘go to’ music for specific energy shifts. These stay the same for a good while, and then suddenly change for no apparent reason. Here is the short version of my current standards.

Music to change worry into calm focus

• Norah Jones, any of. It’s like she just makes you take one big deep breath as soon as she starts singing. Only exception is one duet with Dolly on the ‘Feels Like Home’ album. I am bound by the law of the Country Goddesses to stop and singalong with this one. Otherwise, this plays in the background, occupies the part of my brain that would otherwise be fretting and lets the more useful bit of it concentrate on clients’ work.
• Sometimes Paolo Nutini has the same effect
• As does The Eagles

Music to re-energise quickly from a slump

There are a few of these and all require work to stop for maximum sing-a-long, dance-a-long and/or pretend am in video for:

• ‘Long Road to Ruin’, Foo Fighters : Air drumming essential
• ‘Runaway Baby’, Bruno Mars: Incorporating dance moves from his routine
• ’Freedom’, Wham: Maximum 80’s love
• ‘I Am Woman’, Helen Reddy: If also enraged by the news
• ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’, Bonnie Tyler: Obvs! Other 80s rock ballads also apply.
• ‘Baby I’m Burning’, Dolly Parton: It’s Dolly!
• ‘Titanium’, David Guetta feat. Sia: Dance heaven

That’s just the current ones. I dip into country, 80s, 90s, current, whatever hits the spot at the time. A big boost of lovely energy passes through the music into me for a quick kickstart.

Magnificent dancing lady by @rubyetc.

Sometime this involves singing and just desk dancing, some days only getting up and really moving is the only answer. Word to the wise: move away from windows/shut curtains to avoid unexpected (and horrified) audience!

Another fabulous dancing woman by @rubyetc. See more of her wonderful illustrations at rubyetc.com

If you know me, I apologise for any mental images of me dancing that may have suddenly popped up in your brain. Quick, think about Strictly, or the Thriller routine, or Fred and Ginger.

Seriously cannot resist this woman’s illustrations. Support her at patreon.com/rubyetc

A gal can dream…!

When I’m a baziillionaire, my home will have a secret door to an amazing library, this will lead down a short passageway to my scriptorium. In my beautiful desk there will be silver lever that, when depressed, initiates full desk disco mode: disco ball descends from the ceiling, range of lighting effects, dry ice and resounding round of applause at the end of each ‘performance’. Then they all disappear as magically as they arrive!

Quick note about the illustrations I’ve shared here. I love Rubyetc., found her randomly on Twitter and have been a fan since. I feel that with these dancing women she has really capture the essence of my creative energy whenever I express myself through dance (to reassure you, this is usually done in the privacy of my own home!). Her book ‘It’s All Absolutely Fine’ is a superb read.

Tweet