Soundtracking Productivity: How I’m Using Music to Own My Day
Over the past few months, I’ve shared my approach to reclaiming time, including the power of 168 hours, organizing email into four actionable folders, and leveraging Microsoft Copilot to reduce cognitive overload. But there’s one more piece that has quietly elevated my routine:
Music.
Not just any music. Not the kind that randomly hums in the background. I’m talking about intentional sound, beats, rhythms, and ambient vibes that help define my day from the moment I sip my first espresso to the final inbox sweep before I shut it down.
Inspired by the Fast Company article on how playlists affect the brain, I started experimenting with integrating music directly into my routines, and the results have been incredible.
Morning: Music as a Signal to Start
My mornings begin the same way: workout, espresso, calendar review, and a scan of my inbox using my “Action Now / Action Later” method. But lately, I’ve added a curated “Morning Momentum” playlist into the mix—instrumental lo-fi, soft synth, or familiar cinematic electronica.
The science is clear: when you pair upbeat but familiar music with morning tasks, your brain processes it faster and more fluently, giving you a natural dopamine boost without needing to overthink. For me, it’s no longer just about turning on the coffee machine; it’s about turning on Momentum.
Fast Company tip: Familiar tracks require less mental decoding, which helps your brain ramp up without added stress.
Midday: Using Music to Power Focus (and Block Distractions)
This is where music truly becomes a tool. During deep work blocks, such as writing and reviewing strategy documents, I put on what I call “Focus Zone” playlists. These are stripped-down, lyric-free environments: ambient piano, minimalist jazz, or low-BPM lo-fi.
And here’s the kicker: while Microsoft Copilot is helping me follow up on emails and generate outlines based on previous conversations, the music is helping me stay in it. No context switching. No Teams rabbit holes. Just flow.
Pro tip: Want to test this? Try pairing a low-BPM ambient set with 45 minutes of focused work, and then break for a stretch. You’ll be amazed how fast your brain locks in.
Afternoon: Beats to Beat the Slump
After lunch, I hit the 1–3 pm zone, the part of the day where energy can drop, and meetings or reviews start to blend. This is when I switch to a playlist that’s brighter and more rhythmic, think instrumental funk, upbeat electronic grooves, or even acoustic remixes of popular songs.
Music during this time serves one purpose: to keep the wheels moving. Just like I use Copilot to follow up on lingering tasks and my folders to triage what’s left, music keeps my mental RPMs in the productive zone.
Fast Company insight: Rhythmic music with a moderate-to-high tempo (120–140 BPM) can synchronize with your internal tempo and lift alertness, especially during natural dips.
Evening: Music to Close the Loop
When the day winds down, I need to transition from “go mode” to “slow mode.” My “Day’s End” playlist is filled with ambient sounds, mellow acoustic pieces, and soft jazz. I use it while I clear out the inbox one final time, review my calendar, and prep my notes for tomorrow.
It’s the same concept I’ve used before: build bookends into your day. Just like I’ve written about “action now, action later” with sticky notes and notepads, music creates a boundary. It says: “We’re done here.”
And it works—no endless scroll. No 10 pm Teams reply—just clarity.
Background Noise That Isn’t So Background
Here’s what I’ve realized: music isn’t just background noise. It’s part of the system—just like my calendar, folders,inbox rules, and AI tools.
I now build it into my routine like I do my coffee ritual.
Morning Momentum = Start strong
Focus Zone = Deep work, no distractions
Afternoon Amplifier = Energy maintenance
Day’s End = Mental shutdown
I’ve even blocked time in my calendar to cue the playlists based on the rhythm of my day.
Final Thought: Own the Beat, Own the Week
You’ve got 168 hours every week. The more intentionally we use them, the more energy we reclaim.
And while music may seem passive, the right playlist at the right time can shift your mindset faster than most productivity hacks.
Pair it with the systems I’ve discussed before, Copilot, inbox folders, and time blocking + you’ll find yourself not just working, but grooving through your day.
Want the playlists? I’ll share mine in the next post.
#WorkdayRhythm #168Hours #InboxZero #AIandProductivity #FocusBeats #TimeManagement #BePresent #MichaelEarls