Aniruddh Patel, author of Music, Language and the Brain, defines music as “sound organized in time, intended for, or perceived as aesthetic experience.” It is a fitting definition for one of the most beloved aspects of human life. There is an undeniable power and a particular magic in music. Most people have a favorite genre of music, a favorite band, and a favorite song. Most people associate music with memories, with moments in time, with feelings and emotions. Music is essentially auditory storytelling, and it can provide much-needed inspiration on a drab Monday morning.
An Avenue for Emotion
Each of us can attest to the fact that music evokes a wide range of emotions. A song can make us feel a certain way, and it can also intensify the emotions we’re already feeling. Upbeat, exhilarating music helps us work out harder at the gym. Soulful, bluesy music makes us feel melancholy on a Sunday evening. Classical music inspires us while we’re working. Music sets a tone, a mood. We select music depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in, and vice versa: Our mood is altered depending on the music that’s playing. This is especially true when music is played in tandem with other art. We can utilize music to influence our mood through entertainment, revival, sensation, diversion, discharge, mental work and solace.
The music you listen to while working is different from the music you listen to while working out; likewise, the music you listen to when you’re at the beach is different than the music you listen to on a rainy day. Music is an avenue for emotion, a litmus test for how you feel, and perhaps, how you want to feel. When you’re working on an important presentation, use the power of music to channel useful emotion, to evoke responses that will benefit your audience.
Get Inside Their Heads
One of the most important aspects of presentation is the ability to get inside the heads of your audience, the ability to know what they need and deliver it in a neatly wrapped package. Your presentation should be directed to them, specifically; Get inside their heads. What’s the tone of your presentation? What’s the mood? What’s the flow? What emotions are you attempting to evoke? Find inspiration while working on a presentation by listening to music along the same lines of the emotions you want to create for your audience.
Room for Improvement
Brainpicker Maria Popova mentioned John Ortiz’s Tao of Music: Sound Psychology as one of the seven essential books on music, emotion and the brain. She writes that Ortiz encourages you to “enlist your music library in improving your performance and state of mind across everyday challenges like keeping anger at bay, breaking the spell of procrastination, learning to be fully present with romantic relationships and mastering the art of relaxation.” Allow music to enhance, nuance and strengthen ordinary occurrences and happenings. Frustrated with something or someone? Rock out for a while to a favorite band that will help to alleviate your frustration. Need some help focusing on work? Listen to jazz or classical or upbeat music sans words. Looking for some inspiration for that next presentation? Choose an artist or a particular album that you know will jolt your sleepy mind and encourage you to think outside the box. Music can certainly encourage productivity and foster inspiration. And with such a wide variety of free music players available, it’s easier than ever to listen to music customized just for you.
So next time you’re sitting down to work on that upcoming presentation, pick out your favorite station on Pandora or choose your favorite artist on Spotify, find your groove and get some inspired work done.
