4 Spotify Playlists to Launch Marketers into Deep Work

Written on 17/01/2020.

Have you ever had days at work, where you sit in front of your computer having brain farts all day – just as though something is hijacking your attention?

How many times you are bombarded with hundreds of notifications from overnight emails and texts, and hours later you’re still mindlessly going through those messages?

By lunch time, you’ve decided that it’s time to get into some “real work”, but it’s too late… There’s just no way in hell it can happen after the “deep” morning distraction, that you’ll be able to propel yourself into any productivity…

What if you were able to go to work tomorrow and focus solely on things that will move you and your business forward?

That’s exactly what ‘deep work’ can achieve …

In Cal Newport’s popular concept of ‘deep work’, which is now also a book, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, refers to:

‘Work that will make you better at what you do, let you achieve more in less time and provide you with a sense of true fulfilment.’ (Cal Newport)

Essentially, when operating in a state of ‘deep work’, you’ll be able to fully understand cognitive information received, increase productive output and minimise (as Newport calls it) ‘shallow work’.

I mean, who doesn’t want to revolutionise their workdays and increase productivity in 2020?

So how can you practice ‘deep work’? Well, the solution is simple: Turn your email notifications off, put your headphones on, and listen to productivity conducive music.

Here are 4 types of playlists that we know will encourage ‘deep work’:

Mellow Beats

This is the playlist that is looped in the SeeSharp offices all day, everyday. This all-time favourite of ours will instantly kick you into ‘deep work’ mode. Think soft, relaxed beats crossed with a bit of instrumental, and you have the mellow beats playlist. It’s the kind of music that doesn’t distract but instead transports you into a world of your own. After two songs, you’ll be completely transfixed on whatever it is you’re working on. Try it for yourself and let your creativity flow freely.
Brain Food

If there was a type of music that could set your mind off into outer space, this would be it. Think chill electronic beats that open up your mind and sound as though they have been sent to us from another planet.This kind of music is perfect for regaining focus and really getting you in the mode to work on projects that require sharpness in your mind. The playlist cover on Spotify features a person with their mind open to the universe, and that’s exactly how we think this music will make you feel. However, some tracks can get irritating if you listen to it on a loop. Take our advice and loop listen at your own risk!
Lo-Fi Hip-Hop Beats

This is our Digital Content Producer Bram Spencer’s favourite go-to ‘deep work’ music, and probably his secret sauce which has turned himself into an absolute productivity machine. Now, despite the Japanese cartoon cover image on Spotify, it’s actually pretty good music. Think chill beats crossed with a hip-hop vibe and you have Lo-fi Hip-hop beats.It’s the exact music that will de-stress you and transfix your focus, which is especially great for when you’re working on copywriting documents or even reading. Lo-fi Hip-hop beats can be easily picked out due to their ‘do it yourself’ vibe that comes through in each song. So next time you’re stuck in a writing rut at work, put on some Lo-fi Hip-hop beats and let ‘deep work’ take over.
Writing Music: Focus. Work. (no lyrics)

This type of playlist is for all our creatives out there! If you’re engaged with creative work like copywriting or graphic design, then this is for you. It is the most different-sounding playlist out of the four, with more of a classical and new age vibe. However, it’s definitely the kind of music that you want playing when you’re 2-hours down on a 25-hour project. This playlist really has the ability to relax and shut the mind off to outside distractions.