101 Ways to Stay Productive While Working Remotely

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell

Remote work has become a staple for many professionals worldwide, offering flexibility and the comfort of working from home. However, it also presents unique challenges in staying productive. Here are some core concepts and 100 ideas to help you maintain productivity while working remotely.

Core Concepts

Compartmentalization: Separate your work and personal life physically and mentally. Create a dedicated workspace and set clear boundaries between work hours and personal time.
Focus on Habits and Basics: Prioritize basic self-care habits such as adequate sleep, nutritious food, regular exercise, and nurturing relationships. These form the foundation of your productivity.
Have Balance: Strive for a balanced life that includes work, leisure, social activities, and self-care. Balance prevents burnout and keeps you motivated.
Learn to Switch Off: Develop the ability to disconnect from work outside of work hours. This helps prevent burnout and ensures you’re refreshed and ready for the next workday.
Manage Yourself Well: Self-management is key in a remote work setting. Set your schedule, adhere to routines, and stay disciplined to keep productivity high.
Make a Checklist: Create a checklist of practices to ensure you’re managing yourself well, such as no phones in bed, going for a morning walk, and eating proper meals.

100 Ideas for Productivity

Start your day with a morning routine.
Create a designated workspace.
Set specific work hours and stick to them.
Use a planner or digital calendar to schedule tasks.
Take regular breaks to refresh your mind.
Prioritize tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix.
Use the Pomodoro Technique for focused work sessions.
Set daily goals and review them at the end of the day.
Keep your workspace organized and clutter-free.
Use noise-canceling headphones to minimize distractions.
Set boundaries with family and housemates during work hours.
Use productivity apps to track your time and tasks.
Take short walks or do stretching exercises during breaks.
Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress.
Keep healthy snacks and water nearby to stay energized.
Use a standing desk or ergonomic chair for better posture.
Dress for work to mentally prepare for the day.
Limit social media and non-work-related internet browsing.
Use task batching to group similar tasks together.
Set weekly goals and review progress regularly.
Use a second monitor to increase screen real estate.
Automate repetitive tasks with tools or scripts.
Collaborate effectively with remote colleagues using communication tools.
Set reminders for important deadlines and meetings.
Use cloud storage for easy access to files and documents.
Practice deep work sessions for complex tasks.
Regularly update your to-do list to stay on track.
Use keyboard shortcuts to save time on common tasks.
Break down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
Keep a journal to reflect on your productivity and progress.
Use a timer to limit the duration of meetings and calls.
Set a specific time for checking emails and messages.
Use project management tools to organize tasks and projects.
Delegate tasks when possible to focus on high-priority work.
Create templates for repetitive documents or emails.
Use voice-to-text software for faster note-taking or writing.
Learn new skills to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Use a virtual assistant for scheduling and administrative tasks.
Implement a file naming system for easy retrieval of documents.
Use a password manager to save time on logging in to accounts.
Set up a backup system for important files and data.
Use dual-factor authentication for added security.
Set clear objectives for each work session.
Use a whiteboard or corkboard for visual task management.
Conduct regular reviews of your work processes for improvement.
Use a VPN for secure internet access when working remotely.
Set up automated email filters to manage your inbox.
Use an RSS reader to stay updated with industry news and trends.
Participate in online forums or communities related to your field.
Use a habit-tracking app to build and maintain productive habits.
Schedule time for creative thinking and brainstorming.
Use a financial tracking app to manage work-related expenses.
Set up a reward system for completing tasks or reaching goals.
Use a task management app to organize your to-do list.
Create a vision board for inspiration and motivation.
Use a digital notepad or app for quick note-taking.
Implement a zero-inbox policy to manage emails effectively.
Use an app blocker to limit distractions during work hours.
Set up a personal knowledge management system.
Use speech recognition software for faster document creation.
Set aside time for professional development
Schedule regular virtual check-ins with your team or manager.
Use a dashboard app to monitor key performance indicators.
Set up automatic data backups to prevent data loss.
Use a digital journal for daily reflections and goal setting.
Implement a clean desk policy at the end of each day.
Use a fitness tracker to monitor your physical activity.
Set up a dedicated phone line or VoIP for work calls.
Use an email scheduler to send emails at optimal times.
Practice active listening during virtual meetings.
Use a document scanner app to digitize paper documents.
Set up a filing system for both digital and physical documents.
Use a time zone converter for scheduling meetings with global teams.
Practice gratitude by noting down things you’re thankful for daily.
Use a screen time tracker to monitor and reduce non-productive screen time.
Set up a personal wiki for organizing notes and information.
Use a meal planning app to ensure healthy eating during the workweek.
Schedule “focus blocks” for uninterrupted deep work.
Use a task prioritization matrix to identify urgent and important tasks.
Implement the “two-minute rule” for quick tasks.
Use a calendar app to schedule personal and professional commitments.
Practice regular self-assessment to evaluate your productivity.
Use a file synchronization service to access files across devices.
Set up a relaxation area for breaks and downtime.
Use a cloud-based note-taking app for easy access to notes.
Practice the “one-touch rule” to handle tasks efficiently.
Use a password generator to create strong, unique passwords.
Schedule “theme days” to focus on specific types of work.
Use a digital signature service for signing documents electronically.
Set up a FAQ document for common questions or issues.
Use a digital wallet for managing online subscriptions and payments.
Implement a “no meetings day” to focus on individual work.
Use a bookmark manager to organize and access frequently visited websites.
Schedule regular “digital detox” days to unplug and recharge.
Use a contact management app to organize professional contacts.
Set up a system for tracking and managing work-related tasks.
Use a goal-setting app to define and track progress towards goals.
Implement a “single-tasking” approach to improve focus and efficiency.
Use a mood tracker to monitor and manage your emotional well-being.
Juts do it!
Set rewards for when you complete goals

Related Quotes

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell

“Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before.” – Franz Kafka

“The key to productivity is to rotate your avoidance techniques.” – Shannon Wheeler

“The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.” – Mike Murdock

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.” – Tim Ferriss

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

“You don’t need a new plan for next year. You need a commitment.” – Seth Godin

“Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.” – Leo Babauta

“It’s not always that we need to do more but rather that we need to focus on less.” – Nathan W. Morris

“Being busy is a form of laziness—lazy thinking and indiscriminate action.” – Tim Ferriss

“The true price of anything you do is the amount of time you exchange for it.” – Henry David Thoreau

“Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.” – Dale Carnegie

“Efficiency is doing better what is already being done.” – Peter Drucker

“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King

“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” – David Allen

Resources to Learn More about Productivity and Focus

Books:
- “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport
- “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by David Allen
- “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss
- “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
Websites and Blogs:
- Lifehack (lifehack.org)
- Zen Habits (zenhabits.net)
- The Muse (themuse.com)
- Productivityist (productivityist.com)
- Todoist Blog (blog.todoist.com)
Online Courses:
- “Productivity and Time Management for the Overwhelmed” (Udemy)
- “Become a SpeedDemon: Productivity Tricks to Have More Time” (Udemy)
- “Getting Things Done” (LinkedIn Learning)
- “Time Management Fundamentals” (LinkedIn Learning)
Podcasts:
- “The Tim Ferriss Show”
- “The Productivity Show” by Asian Efficiency
- “Beyond the To-Do List” by Erik Fisher
- “The 5 AM Miracle” by Jeff Sanders
Apps and Tools:
- Trello (Project management and organization)
- Todoist (Task management)
- Notion (Note-taking and workspace)
- Focus@Will (Music for productivity)
- RescueTime (Time tracking and productivity insights)