It’s been said that if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got. At home for the last few years I’ve worked in silence, in the belief that I couldn’t work with music. I found it a shame, because I love music – and I was only getting to listen to it when I was out in the car (which, after leaving paid employment, wasn’t that often). Then, after remembering how I used baroque music to stimulate the brain during my accelerated learning training sessions, I figured it was time I started walking the talk and I decided to experiment and try Spotify (which lets you search for and listen to any music for free and to create your own playlists).

All I can say is WOW! Not only have I discovered that I can work to music after all; it has also improved my focus, helped motivate me and allows me to reignite my love for music again, as I discover tracks I’ve never heard before and reacquaint myself with some old favourites and guilty pleasures.

Here are 3 of the best features of Spotify, in my opinion:

• You can hit a ‘Start Radio’ button as you listen to a certain track and the software will keep playing tracks of a similar style. If, during this time, you hear a track you don’t like, or one you really love, you can hit a ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ button and Spotify will improve the radio channel for you, based on your preferences.
• You can pause and resume play at any time with a click of your mouse.
• The home page suggests other music you might like, based on what you’ve previously been listening to.

It’s packed with other features and I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface here; but it’s fair to say that even now – and despite the occasional short ad interrupting the otherwise continuous play – I absolutely love it.