Background noise
Most of us work better in peace and quiet, but complete silence might be just as bad for your productivity as excessive noise. In 2012, researchers at the Journal of Consumer Research published a paper entitled “Is Noise Always Bad?” ( see pcpro.link/263noise). It reports an experiment in which subjects were asked to complete creative tasks while noises played at different volumes. The results indicated that “a moderate (versus low) level of ambient noise induces processing disfluency, which leads to abstract cognition and consequently enhances creativity.” Furthermore, “using background noise that is commonly present in consumers’ lives (in this case, ambient noise in a roadside restaurant), we show that while a moderate level of background noise enhances creativity relative to a low noise level, a rather high level of noise impairs creativity.”
The researchers put the ideal level of background noise at around 60dB – roughly equivalent to a TV set at typical volume, located 1m from the listener. It seems that JK Rowling may have been onto something when she set up shop in the back room of Edinburgh’s Elephant House coffee shop.
Of course, writing in a public space isn’t practical for everyone; you might need to stay close to a landline, or live too far from a suitable space. If you need to create your own ambience, you can simulate the effect using background noise-generator software. Noisli ( noisli.com) is a website that creates tailored soundscapes for just such a purpose. You can play different levels of rain, babbling brooks, birds and more on your PC, and even simulate the sounds of a busy cafe. For best results, use headphones and install the Chrome extension, so you don’t need to keep it open in a tab.
Of course, since Noisli requires you to be online, it won’t work if you’ve blocked your internet access. For a local alternative, check out Ambience ( pcpro.link/263ambience), a free tool that has ten built-in soundscapes, including coffee shops, rain and summer days.
If all of this sounds like it’s going to make your PC too dull to work on all day, bear in mind that minimising distractions can shorten your working day overall. You’ll feel like you’re getting more done, you’ll have more time for yourself, and the change can be good for your mental state too: perhaps you’ll finally be able to get on with the personal projects you’ve put to one side for too long.
“Minimising distractions can shorten your working day overall. You’ll feel like you’re getting more done and you’ll have more time for yourself”