Meerkat Prompts: Background Noise
We live in a world where it is very easy to get distracted. The instant gratification of a quick TikTok video, or some other bite-sized morsel from social media, can divert our focus in the blink of an eye. I know I am certainly susceptible to this, and I try to make a conscious effort to resist, but it’s not particularly easy, especially if it’s a slow day at work (or at home, for that matter). I will try to fill the void with distractions from distractions, especially when I need to focus, and that’s where the concept of background noise comes in.
Whereas some people – my wife for example – need peace and quiet to concentrate, I can often go the other way. I need some music to stop my mind from wandering down the wrong path. I need the TV on to serve up something that’s interesting enough to halt my brain from going down one of a number of irrelevant rabbit holes. That little bit of background sound is enough for me to grab and keep hold of some semblance of concentration.
In other circumstances a bit of sound in the background can turn a somewhat dull, sterile situation into something that’s at least a bit more energised. A big on-going problem at work is that we’re not allowed the radio on, so there’s no music of any kind. We’re one of the smaller showrooms, but it’s bad even for us, and customers have often noted the eerie atmosphere. With work it’s a matter of cost, and my employer’s unwillingness to pay out for a music licence is the chief problem. Then again, from what I’ve gathered the stores that do have music have to endure cheesy, ill-thought-out adverts every few minutes, so perhaps we have the better end of that arrangement.
Still, if there’s music in a store, there’s generally more life, more vibrance, more energy. Granted, once we get into the festive season, with Christmas music bombarding you from all sides, it may be the case that some people would prefer to do without it, but in general terms, I think it’s better to have something that keeps stop my focus from drifting away. Then again, as mentioned, some people manage better without any form of diversion, and handle silence better than noise.
What about you, my dear ‘kats? Do you function better with or without background noise?
‘Kat Comments