How to stay productive while working remotely?

Working remotely (from home or any other place) can feel like a dream — until your productivity takes a nosedive.

Between unexpected distractions, lack of structure, and the temptation to “just check TikTok for a sec,” remote work can quickly turn from flexible to frustrating.

But staying productive from home is possible — with the right strategies, tools, and a bit of consistency. Whether you're a freelancer, remote employee, or solo entrepreneur, this guide will help you take back control of your workday.

Why Productivity Can Be a Struggle in Remote Work

Remote work comes with perks — no commute, comfier clothes, and more flexibility, but also with some hidden productivity killers:

• Distractions: Kids, pets, the kitchen, your phone... the list is endless.
• Lack of structure: Without set hours, it’s easy to start late, lose focus, and blur work/life lines.
• Isolation: No team energy or office banter can zap your motivation over time.

Understanding these challenges is the first step to overcoming them.

10 Proven Strategies to Stay Productive While Working Remotely

Now that we’ve covered why productivity can be such a challenge when working remotely, let’s talk about how to beat it.

The good news? You don’t need superhuman discipline, a fancy office setup, or a 5 AM wakeup time to stay focused and efficient. You just need the right strategies and a bit of consistency.

Below are 10 practical, proven methods to help you structure your day, minimize distractions, and actually get stuff done (without burning out). Whether you’re brand new to remote work or just need to reset your routine, these tips will help you work smarter from wherever you are.

Let’s go!

1. Create a Morning Routine (and Stick to It)

Your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Instead of rolling out of bed and diving straight into emails, try:

• A quick stretch or walk
• Getting dressed (yes, real clothes!)
• A focused “power hour” to plan your day

Avoid the doom scroll and create intention from the start.

I shared my morning habits which boost productivity in the post about 5 Life-Changing Habits That Improved My Mental Health and Productivity - you might want to check it out.

2. Set Clear Work Hours

Structure is your best friend. Choose your core work hours and stick to them. Use a calendar app like Google Calendar or Notion to time-block tasks and meetings.

Tell your family or housemates your working hours — they’ll respect your time more when you’re consistent.

Of course, if you have flexible working hours you can sometimes take advantage of this and, for example, go out for a walk or coffee during the day. But keep it under control — put such a break in your calendar, and then return to important tasks.

3. Design a Distraction-Free Workspace

You don’t need a fancy home office, but you do need a dedicated space for deep work. This will help your brain switch into work mode every time you sit there.

A few things that help:

• Noise-canceling headphones
• A supportive chair or standing desk
• Natural light and minimal clutter

This setup isn’t just good for productivity — it’s good for your body too.

4. Use the Right Productivity Tools

Tools can make or break your workflow. Here are some remote-friendly favorites:

• Notion – all-in-one planner, doc hub, and task manager
• Trello – great for visual task tracking
• Todoist – clean, easy to use to-do lists
• RescueTime – tracks where your time really goes

However, be careful with your use of tools, so they won't be the ones to start taking your attention!

5. Try the Pomodoro Technique

Work in 25-minute sprints, followed by a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break.

It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly effective for focus — especially if you’re prone to multitasking or procrastination. To be honest with you, I never believed in the effectiveness of this tool, and it seemed silly to me. Until I finally tried it. And it was probably the most productive day of my life so far.

Try the Pomofocus timer to get started.

6. Set Daily Goals and Prioritize Tasks

Instead of tackling a huge to-do list, choose your Top 3 for the day. Use the Eisenhower Matrix or a digital planner like Sunsama to separate urgent from important.

As a bonus, checking off those priorities feels like a mini win every day.

7. Take Real Breaks (Not Scroll Breaks)

It’s tempting to “rest” by scrolling, but that doesn’t help your brain recharge.

Instead:

• Walk outside
• Stretch for 5 minutes
• Do a quick breathing or mindfulness exercise

Recharge your focus like it’s your phone battery.

8. Communicate Boundaries with Family/Housemates

If others don’t know you’re working, you’ll get interrupted. Set cues, like headphones on = “do not disturb”, or even put a sign on your door during focus hours.

Over time, people will respect your time more if you clearly set those boundaries.

Also, don't answer the phone while you are working — best to mute it. Even a short phone call can distract you for a long time.

9. Stay Connected with Your Team

Working remotely doesn’t mean working alone. Schedule quick check-ins, use Slack or Teams, and don’t be afraid to hop on a Zoom just to brainstorm.

Feeling connected boosts motivation and helps prevent isolation.

If you are a solo freelancer or entrepreneur, you may consider joining various masterminds, co-working groups or other support sgroups for like-minded individuals. Or just occasionally pop out to a nearby coworking space.

10. End Your Day with a Wind-Down Routine

Just like you started strong — end strong. Some ideas:

• Review what you accomplished
• Write down tomorrow’s top 3
• Shut down your computer and leave the workspace

This signals your brain that the workday is over, and keeps work from bleeding into your evening.

I can confirm this from my own experience. I also mention the evening routine in the article about habits that changed my life.

Recommended Tools for Remote Work Productivity

Here’s a quick list of tools that help remote workers stay sharp and organized:

Tool	What It Does	Affiliate Link
Notion	Planning, docs, task management	Try Notion
Krisp	AI noise cancellation	Try Krisp
Forest App	Stay focused with virtual trees	Check Forest
Ergonomic Chair	Comfort for long hours	View options
Webcam & Mic	Better video calls	Best budget gear

How to Avoid Burnout While Working Remotely

Productivity matters, but so does your mental health. Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic. It can creep in as brain fog, low energy, or resentment toward work. Catch it early.

To avoid burnout:

• Take regular breaks and vacations (yes, even at home)
• Move your body daily
• Don’t overschedule
• Log off fully after your workday

Productivity Isn’t About Hustling Nonstop

At the end of the day, productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, and giving yourself space to rest.

Experiment with these tips, tools, and habits to find your rhythm. Remote work offers flexibility for a reason — use it wisely.

And when you finally feel that thanks to smart work you have more time and would like to use it, be inspired by the post about 7 low-cost online business ideas you can start this month.

PS. I recently read about a girl who hides her phone under her cat for the duration of her work. The cat is always sleeping, and she feels bad about waking it up, so she doesn't reach for the phone. In this way she avoids distractions. I found this idea to be awesome.

Do you have other tips and methods to increase productivity and work smarter? Please share them with us!

Let us know what you've already tried and it works (or doesn't) for you!

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Want more ideas?
Check out this post and get inspired on how to be more productive and work smarter, not harder.

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