How to Be Productive While Working Remotely

Remote work has its pros and cons. One of the challenges of remote work is how to maintain productivity given all the distractions in your environment. I work remotely for over 3 years and I tried several techniques to be more productive. These are the things that worked for me to be successful in this kind of work setting:

Set Working Hours

By setting up working hours, you condition your mind that you’ll be “going” to work. This change in mindset can help you stay focus. Also, this time boundary can help you avoid burn out. Without this, you’ll be prone to overworking because you can basically work from anywhere at any time. At the end of your working hours, call it a day and enjoy the rest of your time.

Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin

You have a lot of flexibility when working remotely in terms of your schedule. You can start your day at noon until midnight if you’re a night owl. You can have multiple shifts throughout the day and create a schedule based on your daily routines. It’s flexible but it could be counterproductive if you spread yourself too thin. Reserve a good amount of time that would allow you to do meaningful work.

Set up the Right Work Environment

If you’re working from home, there are tons of distractions around you. You’re 5 steps away from the TV, 8 steps away from your bed, family members roaming around, etc. Be creative in setting up your work environment. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown home office. 5 steps away from the TV? Move the remote control far enough so you would not be tempted. 8 steps away from your bed? Close the door so you don’t see it. Family members roaming around? Use noise-canceling headphones to help you focus. The right work environment, whether you’re at home or a coffee shop, can help you become more productive.

Define Your Objectives for the Day

Create a checklist of the things that need to be done for the day. Your goal is to finish them at the end of your working hours. The checklist should not be a long and exhaustive one. Remember, it’s only for the day. Be realistic and find the sweet spot where you will be challenged but at the same time will not be burned out. This can help you stay on the right track. It will also give you a sense of progress when you complete a specific objective.