How To Stay Productive When Working From Home: 21 Actionable Tips

Introduction

Whether you're hybrid remote or fully remote, working from home offers flexibility but also presents unique challenges especially when it comes to maintaining productivity. I've been working fully remote for five years with a full time job, side hustle (which is basically another full time job), two young kids, and our beloved cockerpoo Fred, and then there's life itself, so I've had to find ways to stay productive. To help you navigate these challenges, here are 21 actionable tips designed to enhance your efficiency and well-being while working remotely.

I've tried hundreds of productivity hacks over the years and distilled them down to 21, which I consistently use every day, so let's begin! 

1. Establish a Dedicated Workspace

Whether you have a dedicated home office you're working from your kitchen table, it's essential that you carve out a space that you can call "The Office". I used to work from my kitchen table on a laptop. At the end of my workday day I'd put everything in a plastic box and store the box away. That box was my office. If you're working from your sofa, bed or floor, then you need to get yourself a small desk and a chair asap or find somewhere you can sit like a table. 

2. Maintain Regular Working Hours

Set consistent start and end times for your workday to mirror an office environment. Whether you work synchronous or asynchronous, it's important to not allow your work life slip into your personal life. This is easy if your hours are 9-5 Monday to Friday, but if you're working as part of an agile team working asynchronously, then it can be more challenging.

3. Dress for Success

Wearing work-appropriate clothing can psychologically prepare you for the day ahead. I don't go all out here, but I like to wear a fresh polo and jeans, this is enough for me, but if you want to go full suite or shirt and tie, go for it! I also do dress down Friday's, which is something I used to do when working in an office all those years ago.

4. Plan Your Day

To do lists work, I always create my to do list the day before ensuring the highest priority tasks are at the top. I also created a simple Excel day planner that I use to plan my weeks, then I go day by day, hour by hour, it's intense sometimes and scheduling isn't for everyone, but I find it prevents procrastination, which can only be a positive thing. Drop a message in the comments if you want to see my day planner.

5. Take Regular Breaks

Incorporate short breaks into your schedule to rest and recharge. I try to keep my tasks in 60-90 minute chunks and use the Pomodoro technique, which gives me a five minutes break for every 25 minutes of work with a longer 25 minute break after every fourth pomodoro. It's a great productivity tool to develop, and it will keep you focussed and on task. It's important that you get away from your screen in your five minute breaks, avoid checking emails or doom scrolling on social media, use this time to give your brain a rest. Try busting out some press ups, doing some stretches or reading a few pages of a good book.

6. Limit Distractions

This was a big one for me as my house is busy and demands on my time are huge. The biggest win for me was putting my phone in focus mode and on silent in a drawer especially when I was doing deep work. For the first few days you will be constantly tempted to check it, but once you train to your brain to resist the urge, it literally goes away. I also keep my desk clear of everything except my laptop, to do list and a pen. As the saying goes, "Clear desk, clear mind" Clear that clutter and get rid of that phone, put it in another room if you have to, those messages and notifications will still be there.

Bonus tip - If you're like me, my brain is constantly thinking and coming up with ideas, don't let this distract you. If you get an idea just write it down and review it later. Avoid the temptation to drop what you're doing to research the idea, it's a productivity killer.

7. Stay Connected with Colleagues

Remote work can feel isolating at times, so try to maintain regular contact with your coworkers, chances are they're feeling exactly the same. I always prefer to use Microsoft Teams and make video calls, It's much nicer than staring a name in a box. Having good relationships with the people you work with is essential especially if you're on your own for long periods of time, they might just be the lifeline you need to stay feeling human.

8. Invest in Reliable Technology

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and necessary hardware to perform your duties effectively. There's nothing more annoying than your tech breaking or internet going down as I quickly learned, I am also the IT department and had to spend time fixing things, which took me away from my job, so don't scrimp or if your company supplies your kit, tell them if it's not working properly and that it's affecting your productivity, they should sort it for you. If they don't, seriously reconsider who you work for.

9. Prioritise Health and Well-being

• Get Your Body Moving: Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, even a 10 minute walk does wonders and can help clear your head. I'm very fortunate to leave by the coast and use any excuse to take a walk on the beach. 
  
  
• Stretches: If you're sitting a desk for long periods of time, you should be stretching regularly. You don't need anything too grand here, just stretch and straighten your back, shoulders, wrists and hands. One of the easiest ways to do this is to simply lay down on a flat floor in the evening for 10-15 minutes, try it, your older you will thank you for it.  
  
  

• Maintain a balanced diet: Eat well and avoid unhealthy snacks. Go for energy rich foods like nuts and seeds and eat plenty of fruit. Avoid sugary snacks and processed foods, these will destroy your productivity. If you're unsure what and what not to eat, check out this article by Healthline. 
  
  

• Stay Hydrated: According to a study by Cambridge University Press you should aim to drink 6-8 glasses every day. This can include tea and coffee and also food, but it if you can get a minimum of 6 glass you'll keep yourself hydrated and be able to maintain focus. Yes, frequent toilet breaks can be annoying, but that's a small trade off when you consider the productivity gains you'll get. 

10. Set Clear Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance when working from home. By defining specific work hours and communicating them to both household members and colleagues, you can prevent work from encroaching on personal time. This approach not only enhances productivity during designated work periods but also ensures that personal time remains protected, reducing the risk of burnout. For instance, setting a firm end to your workday allows you to disengage from work-related tasks and focus on personal activities, promoting overall well-being. 

11. Utilise Productivity Tools

Use apps and software to organise tasks and manage time efficiently. I've used just about every type of planner and app on the market and now use an app called Structured, it's a great app that's really easy to use and I find it keeps me on track. 

12. Create a Morning Routine

Start your day with activities that prepare you mentally for work. I'm a fully fledged member of the 5am club and have been for many years. It's not for everyone and I often get told that I'm mad for doing it, but the beauty of being up at that time is that there's nobody to distract me, it's just me and I can work with a ninjalike focus on my most important task for 90 minutes. I also incorporate some breathing exercises and get myself hydrated. 

13. Establish End-of-Day Rituals

Develop routines that signal the end of the workday to help you unwind. I make sure all my emails have been replied to and review my day planner and to do list. I'll make a to do list for the next day and make sure the highest priority tasks at the top ready to tackle the next day.

14. Stay Organised

Keep your workspace tidy to enhance focus and efficiency. This was a big one for me, keeping my workspace clutter free eliminates distractions and streamlines my workflows, so I can get more done. 

15. Seek Professional Development

Allocate time for learning new skills or attending virtual workshops. If you can, time block one or two hours a week to focus on learning a new skill. I constantly looks for skills gaps or gaps in my knowledge and take LinkedIn Learning and Udemy courses. If you want to increase your salary, find out what skills you need to learn to add more value to your company and take some courses to learn them. If you can implement what you've learnt quickly it'll help to retain the knowledge. Just keep doing it until it makes sense. Don't stop when you've completed the course, go deep, learn more about the subject and you'll be unstoppable. 

16. Practice Mindfulness

Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to reduce stress. This doesn't have to be a full blown meditation session. I set aside 30 minutes every day at 3 pm to just stop everything and sit in silence with my eyes closed. The ideas that come  to me in this time are often some problem or challenge I'm facing, so I have a pen and pad next to me to write down what comes to me. The very act of stopping what you're doing and closing your eyes for five minutes is very relaxing. I don't use any fancy apps, I'll occasionally play a guided meditation video on YouTube but there's no need to splash out on fancy apps.

17. Set Realistic Expectations

Be realistic about what you can achieve each day to avoid burnout. I've fallen into this trap many times and now only focus on one thing and do that thing until it's done. It's so easy to feel like you're doing a lot when you've loads of tasks and the go, but as the saying goes, the person who chases two rabbits gets none. Get really good at estimating how long tasks take to complete. I used to massively underestimate how long things took, which meant I was taking forever to complete tasks. How did I fix this? I timed myself doing tasks and drew an average from those times and now I'm really efficient in most things. If I'm doing something that required learning a new skill, I always build in extra time to allow for the learning curve.

18. Communicate Your Needs

Inform your household about your work schedule and needs to minimise interruptions. If like me your desk just so happens to be the kitchen table in the busiest part of the house, you'll find you're constantly being distracted. If like me, your job is the primary income for your household, then a gentle reminder of this every now and then can work wonders, just make sure you do it gently as you don't want to upset anyone. 

19. Take Advantage of Flexibility

Use the flexibility of remote work to create a schedule that suits you best. Let's be honest, working from home is a fantastic privilege and I often hear my friends talk about how they still commute to the office five days a week, I'm not about that life anymore. Working remotely means I can walk my girls to school every day and be more present in their lives as well as support my partner. My days are usually jam packed with projects and meetings, so I'm always busy and working from home gives me the flexibility to do more of what I love. 

20. Reflect and Adjust

Regularly assess your productivity strategies and make adjustments as needed. There's a lot of advice out there about what you should and shouldn't do, so just try one thing and do it consistently until you see results. It's so easy to try something for a day or two and say it didn't work. You need to stick with it for at least a few weeks and find a way to track it, so you can make a data driven decision as to whether or not it worked.

21. Incorporate Physical Activity

Engage in regular exercise to boost energy levels and maintain physical health. If you're anything like me, then you're probably sitting down at your desk (or table) for 6-8 hours every day, which is not good, in fact, it's so bad and if you continue doing this, you'll end up looking like Quasimodo! Unless you've got a good office setup with an ergonomic chair and desk, you're putting a lot of stress on your body especially your back and shoulders. Take regular breaks and remember to stretch out throughout the day.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, you can create a productive and balanced work-from-home experience that supports both your professional objectives and personal well-being.

We'd love to hear from you! Share your own tips and experiences in the comments below.

 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the benefits of working from home?

Working from home offers several advantages, including:

• Flexibility: Ability to set your own schedule.
• Reduced Commute: Saves time and money.
• Increased Productivity: Fewer office distractions.
• Improved Work-Life Balance: More time with family.
• Cost Savings: Lower expenses on transportation and meals.

2. How can I stay productive while working remotely?

To maintain productivity when working remotely:

• Establish a Routine: Set consistent work hours.
• Create a Dedicated Workspace: Separate work from personal life.
• Set Clear Goals: Define daily tasks and objectives.
• Minimise Distractions: Limit social media and household interruptions.
• Take Regular Breaks: Short breaks can boost focus and energy.

3. What tools are essential for remote work?

Essential tools for remote work include:

• Communication Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams.
• Project Management Software: Asana, Trello.
• Video Conferencing Tools: Zoom, Google Meet.
• Cloud Storage: Google Drive, Dropbox.
• Time Management Apps: Toggl, RescueTime.

4. How do I set boundaries between work and personal life at home?

To set boundaries between work and personal life:

• Designate a Workspace: Use a specific area for work.
• Stick to a Schedule: Define clear start and end times.
• Communicate Availability: Inform household members of your work hours.
• Turn Off Work Notifications: After hours, disable work-related alerts.
• Engage in Non-Work Activities: Pursue hobbies post-work to unwind.

5. What are common challenges of working from home?

Common challenges include:

• Isolation: Feeling disconnected from colleagues.
• Distractions: Household noises or family interruptions.
• Overworking: Difficulty in logging off.
• Technical Issues: Internet connectivity problems.
• Communication Gaps: Misunderstandings due to lack of face-to-face interaction.

6. How can I improve communication with my remote team?

To enhance communication with your remote team:

• Schedule Regular Meetings: Weekly check-ins via video calls.
• Use Collaborative Tools: Shared documents and project boards.
• Set Clear Expectations: Define roles and responsibilities.
• Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly.
• Encourage Social Interaction: Virtual coffee breaks or team-building activities.

7. What are the best practices for setting up a home office?

Best practices include:

• Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in a good chair and desk.
• Proper Lighting: Ensure adequate natural or artificial light.
• Minimal Distractions: Choose a quiet area.
• Organised Space: Keep your workspace tidy.
• Reliable Technology: High-speed internet and necessary hardware.

8. How can I stay motivated when working from home?

To stay motivated:

• Set Daily Goals: Achievable tasks to maintain focus.
• Reward Yourself: Small incentives for completing tasks.
• Stay Connected: Regular interaction with colleagues.
• Take Breaks: Short pauses to recharge.
• Maintain Work-Life Balance: Avoid overworking to prevent burnout.

9. What are effective time management strategies for remote workers?

Effective strategies include:

• Prioritise Tasks: Focus on high-impact activities.
• Use Time-Blocking: Allocate specific times for tasks.
• Avoid Multitasking: Concentrate on one task at a time.
• Set Deadlines: Create a sense of urgency.
• Review Progress: Regularly assess and adjust your schedule.

10. How can I ensure data security while working remotely?

To ensure data security:

• Use VPNs: Secure your internet connection.
• Update Software: Keep applications current.
• Implement Strong Passwords: Use complex and unique passwords.
• Be Wary of Phishing: Avoid suspicious emails and links.
• Backup Data: Regularly save important information.

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