The ultimate WFH playlists to get you through lockdown

NMM HQ has been very quiet for the past month and a half or so, with our entire team working from home as another lockdown chugs along here in Sydney. Despite missing each other's company and the usual office banter, the NMM team have been working away on several exciting upcoming projects for our amazing clients. 

Of course, WFH has become a stop-start way of life over the past year, so we have picked up a few tips along the way that have helped us stay in touch and stay connected, despite being far apart. We believe being connected and in tune with your team is paramount to any happy, healthy, workplace environment.  

We’ve learnt that compassionate communication plays a vital role in keeping connected as a team, and with our valued clients. Here at NMM, we like to balance out our hard work with a little bit of downtime, called ‘Fika’ time, a quick 20-minute meeting that we have every morning. Like all great things, Fika comes from the land of ABBA, Ikea, Spotify and damn good meatballs – Sweden. Fika is a Swedish custom that promotes the idea of taking a break from normal activity to have a chat, a cup of tea and a biscuit (or three). Although our Fika meeting each morning does (sometimes) bleed into work chat, we believe it is important to have a constant, informal kind of daily catch-up, where we check in on each other’s mental health. 

Jumping in and out of hangout calls can make for a few funny moments, but it is definitely worth it, if it means more time spent connecting with one another.  

The NMM team knows WFH doesn’t work for everyone, and it can make getting projects off the ground a little clunky at times. We can completely empathise with our clients and others who are juggling home-schooling, cabin fever, various pets running around the house, working from the kitchen table and of course, the temptation of the fridge being so close by. We get it, and we get you!  

To help take some of the edge off during these testing times, our go-to is the perfect playlist. Good for blocking out unwanted nagging from partners, children, housemates and pets, and of course, it gets you in the zone. Without giving away all of our secrets, here are our top WFH playlists that get each of us through the day:  

Tammy, Marketing Director: 

White Noise or Seinfeld! 

“Sorry guys, no interesting playlists from me – I listen to Seinfeld, rain or any other soothing white noise. When I'm thinking or writing I can't have lyrical music playing as my OCD gets the track stuck in my head on repeat for days!”  

Vanessa, Client Marketing Manager:  

“Jazz is the perfect work soundtrack for a busy and challenging day. It lowers my stress level, helps me focus, and improves my memory. In other words, it meets all my needs! How good is the Nina Simone version of Mr Bojangles? I’m obsessed.” 

Maria, Studio Manager: 

“I love this playlist because it is just the right amount of groove and funk to it to keep me going during the day, but not so much that it overpowers my focus.”  

Marina, Marketing Automations Specialist:  

“I like to have old school 60s and 70s tunes playing in the background when I work from home. Bands like Fleetwood Mac and America are my go-to!” 

Magenta, Social Media Executive: 

“It might be a bit dorky but I love listening to Classical music when I am in the zone! It really calms me down and helps me to concentrate on the job at hand. I find it hard to listen to music with lyrics, especially when I’m writing.” 

We know how hard it can be to create a work-life balance when now, the lines between work-life and personal life are continually blurred. We aren’t here to tell you to wake up early and exercise, or to bake banana bread daily. If you’re dreaming of the day you can be back in the office, or going out for Friday drinks, then we totally feel you – we hope you find some solace in our ultimate WFH playlists.  

Do whatever is best for you during these lockdown times and remember to check in on your colleagues – chances are, they will understand how you’re feeling better than anyone. And above all, stay safe out there!