---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes I start with music on and then…"
description: "\"Sometimes I start with music on and then I get distracted because I'm working to a different rhythm; I'm not working to myself. So, I don't have music ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/sue-tompkins-32614_different_sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then_2789168.jpg"
---

#  Sometimes I start with music on and then I get distracted…

![“Sometimes I start with music on and then I get distracted because I'm working to a different rhythm; I'm not working to myself. So, I don't have music on when I'm working.” quote by Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/sue-tompkins-32614_different_sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then_2789168.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/sue-tompkins-32614_different_sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then_2789168.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/sue-tompkins-32614_different_sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then_2789168.jpg)

> “Sometimes I start with music on and then I get distracted because I'm working to a different rhythm; I'm not working to myself. So, I don't have music on when I'm working.”

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Working with music can misalign your personal rhythm, causing distraction; silence helps maintain focus on your own pace.

**In simple terms:** Music can distract from personal flow; silence aids focus.

Key Takeaway

Choose silence to stay in your own rhythm.

Themes

focus productivity personal rhythm distraction

Mood

concentrated reflective

Type

advice observational

When to use this quote

- writing
- coding
- studying
- creative projects
- exercise

Key Concepts

attention flow self-regulation

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you notice a change in output quality with music?
- How can you create a personal rhythm without external cues?

A Different Perspective

If you need music for motivation, silence may reduce energy and enjoyment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Rhythm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-rhythm-961945/) [Distracted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distracted/) [Distracted Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distracted-working-3366870/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Distracted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-distracted-3366869/) [Music Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-working-1404335/) [Rhythm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhythm/) [Rhythm Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhythm-working-788463/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/)

## Related quotes

> [It's true that I tend to daydream. I'm the same person in business as I am in music: I can be distracted and absentminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-getty/it-s-true-that-i-tend-to-daydream-i-m-the-same-person-in-business-as/)

[Gordon Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-getty/)

> [Smile As you find a rhythm Working you, slow mile by mile, Into your proper haunt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seamus-heaney/smile-as-you-find-a-rhythm-working-you-slow-mile-by-mile-into-your/)

[Seamus Heaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seamus-heaney/)

> [I'm never happier than when I'm part of an ensemble. The rhythm of working in a group and the dynamic of each individual relationship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-baker/i-m-never-happier-than-when-i-m-part-of-an-ensemble-the-rhythm-of/)

[Sarah Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-baker/)

> [Every time I write a song, it's different. I'm all about the rhythm of the words and the melody. Musically, you gotta have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-bern/every-time-i-write-a-song-it-s-different-i-m-all-about-the-rhythm-of/)

[Dan Bern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-bern/)

> [I feel I'm discovering something new, a different rhythm, and I guess these rhythms have a lot to do with walking, too, but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/i-feel-i-m-discovering-something-new-a-different-rhythm-and-i-guess/)

[Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/)

> [I like working in series, so instead of just doing one separate body of work, what if I come up with a different rhythm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-madonna/i-like-working-in-series-so-instead-of-just-doing-one-separate-body/)

[Paul Madonna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-madonna/)

> [I just love the different rhythm of comedy after having been in a disease-of-the-week kind of show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-pickles/i-just-love-the-different-rhythm-of-comedy-after-having-been-in-a/)

[Christina Pickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-pickles/)

> [I just love music, so that's what I'm always working on, and I try to say yes a lot. Maybe I'm more ambitious than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britta-phillips/i-just-love-music-so-that-s-what-i-m-always-working-on-and-i-try-to/)

[Britta Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britta-phillips/)

> [I always listen to music while I'm working and I always read aloud to my wife. I love to read aloud to an audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-c-boyle/i-always-listen-to-music-while-i-m-working-and-i-always-read-aloud-to/)

[T.C. Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-c-boyle/)

> [I think a lot of good directors listen to music while they're working. The songs just don't become a part of the film. They're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-folds/i-think-a-lot-of-good-directors-listen-to-music-while-they-re-working/)

[Ben Folds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-folds/)

> [I have to listen to music while I'm working. Music is essential. It's at the top of the pyramid for me. I've always felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dumontier/i-have-to-listen-to-music-while-i-m-working-music-is-essential-it-s/)

[Michael Dumontier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dumontier/)

> [I don't like to listen to music while I'm working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-fox/i-don-t-like-to-listen-to-music-while-i-m-working/)

[Paula Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-fox/)

> [Just listen to all this sweet, sweet music. I'm working the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-kelly/just-listen-to-all-this-sweet-sweet-music-i-m-working-the-music/)

[R. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-kelly/)

> [The only thing I say I consciously do is I definitely make an effort to work on different styles of music: not working on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-congleton/the-only-thing-i-say-i-consciously-do-is-i-definitely-make-an-effort/)

[John Congleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-congleton/)

> [Music is something that is in you. You can touch people with your music even if you're working a job at starbucks or working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethany-joy-galeotti/music-is-something-that-is-in-you-you-can-touch-people-with-your/)

[Bethany Joy Galeotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethany-joy-galeotti/)

## More by Sue Tompkins

> [I probably protect myself by not asking myself too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-probably-protect-myself-by-not-asking-myself-too-much/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [The way I perform or the setup is always same - just me and a microphone and the text - and they usually have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/the-way-i-perform-or-the-setup-is-always-same-just-me-and-a/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [For me, there's the certain focus points that come out, which could reference a song or a pop disco, or something really abstract. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/for-me-there-s-the-certain-focus-points-that-come-out-which-could/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [I'm interested in really particular details, ideas, thoughts, and emotions, yet it's defused with performance, where you can play with hiding things, or be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-m-interested-in-really-particular-details-ideas-thoughts-and/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [I'm not really interested in making someone endure a performance or stand there for too long. I like to think about the length.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-m-not-really-interested-in-making-someone-endure-a-performance-or/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [I don't analyze too much, because then I'll question, 'Why do I write down all of these random little phrases?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-don-t-analyze-too-much-because-then-i-ll-question-why-do-i-write/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [Performances have a bit of a life and a time scale to themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/performances-have-a-bit-of-a-life-and-a-time-scale-to-themselves/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [ I'm one who needs to be in the space \[for\] a sense of place and order. It's crucial. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-m-one-who-needs-to-be-in-the-space-for-a-sense-of-place-and-order/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [Being on the same level as everybody is really important to me. I'm trying to do really basic stuff like communicate, convey, talk, see,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/being-on-the-same-level-as-everybody-is-really-important-to-me-i-m/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [I've got a twin sister who's an artist and growing up I was always "the loud one." She's not actually quiet at all, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-ve-got-a-twin-sister-who-s-an-artist-and-growing-up-i-was-always/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [I've thought about bands or performers who appear from nowhere: You come out of the greenroom in this secure little unit, then you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-ve-thought-about-bands-or-performers-who-appear-from-nowhere-you/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [When I go into the editing process, I re-look at the original intuitive thoughts and then it becomes the written performance or text work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/when-i-go-into-the-editing-process-i-re-look-at-the-original/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [ I started using Notes \[on my iPhone\] but I do a lot of hand written notes. It's a very slow, accumulative thing. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-started-using-notes-on-my-iphone-but-i-do-a-lot-of-hand-written/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

> [I like actual songs and bands, but it's usually parts, like the production, the bassline, the drums, that I'm really attracted to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/i-like-actual-songs-and-bands-but-it-s-usually-parts-like-the/)

[Sue Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

[Explore all 15 Sue Tompkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/)

## More Different quotes

> [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [I've seen a lot of people come out of Carol City, but I had this distinct vision for Carol City, just me coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-curry/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-people-come-out-of-carol-city-but-i-had-this/)

[Denzel Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-curry/)

> [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/)

[Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/)

> [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/)

[Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/)

> [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/)

[David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/)

> [One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/one-of-the-reasons-that-i-do-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-pictures-is/)

[Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/)

> [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/)

[Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/)

> [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/)

[Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/)

[Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/)

> [Suffering did different things to different people...Some souls became tempered, unshakable in their faith, while others became twisted and mis-shapen, throwing off all connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ragen/suffering-did-different-things-to-different-people-some-souls-became/)

[Naomi Ragen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ragen/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [I always aspired to do something different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayushmann-khurrana/i-always-aspired-to-do-something-different/)

[Ayushmann Khurrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayushmann-khurrana/)

> [The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-talk-shows-in-the-states-want-celebrities-not-authors-in-france/)

[Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/)

> [My favorite job is the next one. Its such a gratifying experience getting to creatively keep trying something new and push things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-craig-smith/my-favorite-job-is-the-next-one-its-such-a-gratifying-experience/)

[Roger Craig Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-craig-smith/)

[Browse all 28,697 Different quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Sometimes I start with music on and then I get distracted because I'm working to a different rhythm; I'm not working to myself. So, I don't have music on when I'm working.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sue Tompkins"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then-i-get-distracted-because-i-m/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Different"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then-i-get-distracted-because-i-m/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/sue-tompkins-32614_different_sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then_2789168.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/sue-tompkins-32614_different_sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then_2789168.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/470/sue-tompkins-32614_different_sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then_2789168.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Sometimes I start with music on and then I get distracted because I'm working to a different rhythm; I'm not…” — Sue Tompkins",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sue Tompkins",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-tompkins/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Sometimes I start with music on...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then-i-get-distracted-because-i-m/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-tompkins/sometimes-i-start-with-music-on-and-then-i-get-distracted-because-i-m/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
