How to Be Productive at Home: 11 Tips for Remote Work

There are so many benefits to working from home, including having a flexible work schedule and spending more time with loved ones. But for remote workers, staying productive can be challenging at times.

With pets needing attention and laundry piling up, how can you stay efficient and still enjoy being at home?

To help you get your tasks done while working from home, we put together 11 of the best tips to promote productivity and efficiency. By following these best practices, you'll perform at your best while enjoying all the benefits of working in your PJs.

1. Prioritize a morning self-care routine

Start your day with a morning routine that helps you feel energized before work. Whether you have coffee, do a quick workout, or spend a few minutes journaling, these habits can set a positive tone for the day.

A good morning routine can help you feel ready for the day and do your best work. Everyone’s routine is different, but you might try:

• Fitting in a workout such as yoga, biking, or floor exercises like lunges.

• Making a healthy breakfast, such as eggs or vegetables.

• Journaling to reduce stress or practice affirmations.

You can also ask a roommate or family member to help you stick to your routine. When you start your morning feeling good, it’s easier to stay positive and motivated all day.

2. Prep household tasks ahead of time

Everyday chores like cooking and cleaning can interrupt your work. To avoid this, try getting these tasks done before your workday starts:

• Meal prep: Prepare meals the night before or on Sunday for the week ahead.

• Cleaning: Tidy up the night before or first thing in the morning if a messy space distracts you.

Once you get into this habit, small chores won’t take away from your productive work time.

3. Organize tasks and connect them to goals

We all have our written, personal to-do lists that we love to cross off. But workplace to-do lists are also a great way to organize and prioritize your work, not to mention the serotonin boost you get from marking a to-do as "done." Writing down your daily goals can help you focus on your most important tasks. This way, you get your high-impact work done first.

If you don't already use a workplace to-do list, try the following steps to get started:

1. Gather your tasks for the week. List all of your work in one place, like a project management tool, so you have a single, central source of truth.

2. Identify which tasks need to be completed first. These are your most important tasks for the week. They might be important because there are other task dependencies waiting on this one, or they might be important because they're directly contributing to your team's strategic goals.

3. Put your most important tasks at the top of your list. Whether you tackle them in the morning or later in the day, keep them in sight so nothing gets missed.

4. Check off each task as you finish it. It feels good and helps you see what you’ve finished and what’s left to do.

Writing down your tasks is helpful, but using a to-do list tool makes it even easier to adjust deadlines, link tasks to goals, and talk with your team—all in one spot.

4. Designate a separate workspace

Set up a workspace that suits your needs and helps you avoid distractions. Make it a spot where you feel comfortable working each day. Keep the tools you need close by, like headphones, notebooks, and pens. You might also consider:

• An ergonomic chair that doesn't hurt your back.

• Decor that helps reduce stress.

• A standing desk to keep your body mobile.

Not everyone has a perfect home office, and that’s okay. Even if you work from your kitchen counter, small changes can help you switch between work and personal time.

For example, you might try using:

• A candle to cue the start of your day.

• A tablecloth to associate with your workspace (that you remove once the work day is over).

Wherever you set up your workspace, make sure it energizes you and helps you work efficiently.

5. Manage your time effectively

Working from home comes with its own set of challenges, from blurred work hours to back-to-back virtual meetings. Managing your time effectively prevents procrastination and ensures you complete your most important work on time. Try these time management techniques:

• Try the eat the frog method to identify challenging tasks first thing in the morning.

• Use the time blocking technique to break your work week into manageable time slots to check your email or work on projects.

• Prevent procrastination and boost focus with the Pomodoro Technique.

• Apply the 3-3-3 rule: spend three hours on your most important project, complete three shorter tasks, and tackle three maintenance activities.

• Use the 1-3-5 rule to plan your daily to-do list: one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks.

It's particularly important to combat Parkinson's Law, which states that your work will expand to fill the time allotted for its completion. Schedule time blocks for your daily tasks to ensure you get your important work done.

Knowing when you’re most focused can make a big difference. Try to schedule your hardest tasks during the times you feel most alert.

6. Minimize noise to prevent distractions

One big challenge to learning how to work from home is overcoming home life distractions. From children running around to the TV on in the background, daily commotion can affect your productivity.

Fortunately, there are ways to take back control. Try these three steps during your workday:

1. Designate a room (if available) where you can close the door while working.

2. Use noise-canceling headphones to minimize outside sound.

3. Let your housemates know you need quiet time during work hours.

All three methods can help you stay focused, limit daily distractions, and ensure you get your work done on time.

7. Mute app notifications during work hours

It’s easy to get distracted by checking apps, whether it’s Slack or social media. Five minutes can quickly turn into 50, so muting notifications is important to stay focused.

It can be tough to ignore your phone all day, but here are some ways to help you avoid picking it up:

• Distraction mode: Mute app notifications with a single setting.

• Phone lockbox: Set a timer to physically restrict access during focus periods.

These tips are especially useful when you’re tempted to procrastinat,e and your phone is within reach. Some teams even block certain social media sites on work computers. However you do it, try to avoid social media during work hours.

You can face the same challenges with work apps. Notifications can pull you out of flow state and prevent you from hitting due dates. Mute app notifications during deep work to stay productive.

8. Schedule time to connect with your team

On days when you feel disconnected from your teammates, motivating your remote team can be that much harder. That's why it's key to communicate and collaborate with your team members as often as possible. To combat disconnect, keep an open dialogue with your team through virtual connection and collaboration:

• Virtual coffee meetings: Let team members get to know each other and talk openly about work or personal lives.

• Office hours and brainstorming sessions: Encourage 1:1 time and idea-sharing across the team.

These practices build a better group dynamic and contribute to a healthy organizational culture.

9. Balance your work and personal life

Remote workers are re-learning the boundaries of work and personal life. Without a clear separation between office and home, knowing when to switch off and avoid toxic productivity can be challenging.

Ignoring these boundaries can lead to burnout. In fact, remote workers continue to face productivity challenges, with research showing that well-organized hybrid teams are approximately 5% more productive than their fully remote counterparts, highlighting the importance of structured work arrangements to prevent burnout. Knowing the signs of being overworked and prioritizing work-life balance is key.

Remind your team to leave work behind at the end of the day and enjoy activities such as:

• Spending time with family

• Going on walks

• Reading a good book

You can go further by letting team members use their flexible schedules, like offering early sign-off days. Don’t forget to use your own PTO to take care of your personal needs, too.

10. Don't forget to walk, stretch, and move

Sitting indoors all day can feel stifling, especially if you’re working alone. Taking regular movement breaks helps, and studies show that flexible work arrangements that allow for physical activity can boost productivity.

A brisk walk can clear your mind and help you return to work feeling refreshed. Even sitting outside with your favorite drink can be a nice break.

However you choose to get fresh air, getting outside will lead to better work solutions, encourage better work-life balance, and help you focus on your high-impact work when you get back to your desk.

11. Reduce app switching

From juggling video calls to managing your work environment, there's a lot to tackle in a given day. App overload increases multitasking and decreases productivity. In fact, studies show that structured work management significantly impacts employee wellbeing, with many workers relying on outdated tools like spreadsheets to manage their work.

Tasks like searching for information can create extra busywork. Instead, try using organization tools to manage projects and improve your time management.

Putting all your plans and projects in one place helps you:

• Keep track of priorities

• Streamline your workflows

• Make plans clear for your team members

Boost productivity with remote work tools

When it comes to having a productive day at home, family members, inadequate office space, and a busy schedule can make it difficult to get your work done. You also want to keep your mental health top of mind and partake in activities you enjoy in your free time.

Finding the right balance takes effort, but it’s possible. These 11 tips can help you build new habits that boost both your productivity and your happiness.

If you're looking to help your remote team connect and improve efficiency, try remote work software. Plan projects, coordinate work, and achieve your goals with Asana. Get started today!

Frequently asked questions about productivity at home