Good music is instrumental (ha!) for me to do focused work. *Especially* when I am working at home with kids in the house.
I almost always have a single, go-to album that I put on when it is time to work. This helps quite a bit as part of my routine for getting into the zone.
It can be difficult to transition from feeling *at home* to feeling *at work.* But, by having the same playlist or album that I put on when it is time to work, then that music becomes pavlovian — it tells my brain “now it’s time to work”.
And, over time, as I become used to the music, it turns into background noise that is so familiar it is not distracting at all.
Another reason I like having one specific album that is my go-to for background music is that it removes the decision of *what do I want to listen to right now*?
The less choices I can make before starting my work day the better. I prefer to save as much of that mental energy as I can for actually doing the work.
Anyway! Enough chit-chat…
Here are a few fantastic albums and playlists for helping drown out the background noise so you can do some work. Enjoy!
* *[Imagine Gold](https://music.apple.com/us/album/imagine-gold/1473542377)*, by Frameworks is my current favorite. His other albums, *[Tides](https://music.apple.com/us/album/tides/963709432)* and *[Kings](https://music.apple.com/us/album/kings/1252144712)* have all been on repeat pretty much ever since I discovered them a few months ago.
* The [Pure Focus playlist](https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/pure-focus/pl.dbd712beded846dca273d5d3259d28aa) in Apple Music is excellent. It is updated regularly, and I often find new artists there.
* *[The Monument Valley Soundtrack](https://music.apple.com/us/album/monument-valley-original-soundtrack/887804425)* has long been my go-to. I have listened to this album well over 1,000 times. Possibly a few thousand times.
* For additional good jams for deep, focused work. Check out [this roundup](https://thefocuscourse.com/music-for-deep-work/) over on The Focus Course blog.
And, of course, for when you are *done* with work and it’s time to wind down for the day, may I recommend the [BEATsrumental](https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatstrumentals/pl.f54198ad42404535be13eabf3835fb22) playlist? I love to turn this one up while making dinner.