Remote Worker Productivity:

Set Office Hours

If you were in the office, you’d arrive at a specific time and you’d leave, so why don’t you do that at home? Treat your job like you’re “going to work” and you’ll be much more productive.

Give yourself a dedicated Work Area

Part of that whole “going to work” thing is having a “place to go”. Even if it is “that green chair in the kitchen”, make sure everyone knows that’s “your working area” and keep it sacrosanct. When you’ve got your working hat on, you’re not to be disturbed.

Remove distractions

You’re working, right? That means you shouldn’t have any more distractions than an average office worker. Everyone at the office assumes you’re in your pajamas all the time and have Cartoon Network on 24/7 with a beer in one hand and three cats in your lap – don’t play into the stereotype and just do great work.

General Worker Productivity

Master the “Contingent Yes”

There’s a lot of emphasis on “Say no” to things that you don’t have time or want to do, but I actually find that saying no takes more effort and time (people try to overcome objections, etc) than simply coming up with a set of contingencies that, when met, you would be able to say yes. They go away happy and you still don’t have to do the work.

Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is immeasurably important to your overall productivity. If you haven’t slept, you’re going to have a bad day, and that absolutely spills over into your work and your colleague’s work.

Learn the art of Polite Isolation

In the era of the open workspace, it can be increasingly difficult to concentrate on your work when there are so many distractions going on. Colleagues will start conversations with you either in person or via instant message interrupting the flow of whatever you’re working on. Also, posting “office hours” can help ensure that people respect your time.