Ever wonder why you can’t shake off a catchy tune but forget a task moments after reading an email? There’s science—and art—to it.
Music sticks in our memory with its rhythm, repetition, and emotion. It’s why you remember the lyrics of a song from your childhood but not the details of yesterday’s meeting. Oliver Sacks, a renowned neurologist, noted, “Music imprints itself on the brain deeper than any other human experience.”
So, how do we translate the stickiness of songs into workplace productivity?
First, rhythm: Establish a workflow with a predictable beat, a routine that, like a chorus, returns and reassures.
Second, repetition: Just as choruses repeat, reinforce critical tasks and goals. Repetition breeds familiarity and memory.
Third, emotion: Connect tasks to emotions, values, or outcomes. Make the work matter personally to everyone involved.
Music teaches us that memorable isn’t just what’s heard—it’s what resonates. In business, don’t just assign tasks. Create a symphony of purpose, rhythm, and repetition. Let your team’s work be their song.
