Zoned out

I was at a coaches conference and we were discussing those late night/all nighters - ok I'm the only person who was pulling all nighters - working on data, lineups, etc.  We were talking about how you stay focused, or how you're able to zone into the work and zone out of everything else.

I choose music.  I slap on a pair of earbuds - I'm not a fan of headphones - and crank the music up and go to work.  But I'm very selective of my music because I tend to get distracted easily.  Darn ADD.  So random shuffle doesn't work for me because I'll hear a song that I'm not feeling and then start skipping around.  I'm able to tune out most everything, but not something that I don't want to hear.  

I usually go for instrumental Hans Zimmer types or something with a steady beat.  The music is simply to cut down on outside distractions, and not something to focus on - which is why I don't want lyrics or shuffle.

My current "zone out" playlist, and I say playlist loosely because I usually lock the iPod on repeat.  These songs also work while going for a run - I don't listen to music while riding my bike - or working around the boathouse.  

Time - Hans Zimmer

The XX - Intro

Lashes - Daniel Law Heath 

Lower Your Eyes to Die With the Sun - M83

Dirty Paws - Of Monsters and Men*

*This breaks the instrumental rule, but I do enjoy the song.