Here's a fun mental/emotional exercise to try out, when you
have some work to get done. Prepare your task and get your
headphones on. Fire up track 1 below, and start in on your
work...
Track 1. Rob Dougan - Furious Angels
Take note of how you feel, the energy and pace. We'll all
have different reactions perhaps- maybe this track is too
tame for some, or too extreme for others. For me, it creates
a sense of positive urgency and radical accomplishment, even
when I haven't accomplished anything yet.
When track 1 is over, take a short pause in your work to put
on track 2 below, then start on your work again...
Track 2. The Smiths - Girlfriend in a Coma
Take note again of how you feel, the energy and pace. This
track makes me laugh (I think that's the goal) a bit, and
generally makes me feel light-hearted and non-serious. It
helps me realize that my work really isn't that big of a
deal in the grand scheme of things, and that it doesn't much
matter when or how I get it done after all. I feel bouncy
and carefree when I play it. It doesn't help me get work
done.
I'd be curious to hear what anyone else thinks, with these
two tracks, or any other two tracks juxtaposed with a work
task in the same fashion.
