by The Computing Australia Group | Mastering Remote
Work Productivity
Remote work went from a perk to a necessity almost overnight in 2020. At first, it felt like a luxury: no commute, comfy clothes, flexible hours and the ability to work from the comfort of home. But once the novelty wears off, many people discover the hidden challenges – blurred boundaries, constant distractions, technology headaches and, for some, a worrying dip in productivity.
For employers, that productivity drop impacts timelines, customer experience and ultimately profit. For employees, it can create stress, guilt and a constant feeling of “never quite getting enough done”.
The good news? Remote work can be just as productive – and often more productive – than office-based work, if it’s approached intentionally.
This guide walks you through practical, realistic ways to work productively from home (or any remote location), without sacrificing your mental health, family time or security.
1. Create a distraction-free workspace
The lure of working from the couch or bed wears off quickly. Your brain begins to associate those places with work instead of rest, and your posture, focus and energy suffer.
A dedicated workspace helps your mind switch into “work mode” and makes it easier to switch off at the end of the day.
Choose your spot
You don’t need a full home office to work effectively, but you do need a consistent space. Aim for:
- Good natural or soft lighting (not harsh overhead glare)
- Adequate ventilation and comfortable temperature
- Low noise or the ability to reduce it with noise-cancelling headphones
- Minimal foot traffic from family or housemates
If you can spare a whole room, great. If not, a dedicated corner of the living room, a section of the dining table or a fold-away desk can all work. The key is that when you sit there, your brain knows: “this is where work happens”.
Set up your workstation
- A comfortable, supportive chair (your back will thank you)
- A desk or table at the right height so you’re not hunching
- A monitor or laptop stand so the top of the screen is roughly at eye level
- External keyboard and mouse if you’re using a laptop
- An extension lead or power board so you’re not constantly unplugging things
Keep this space uncluttered. Papers, dishes and random items all pull at your attention. At the end of each day, take 2–3 minutes to reset your desk so you start fresh in the morning.
Prepare before you start
Before you log in:
- Fill up your water bottle
- Grab any notebooks, pens, chargers and devices you’ll need
- Close any unrelated browser tabs and apps
That small set-up ritual tells your brain it’s time to focus and reduces the urge to get up “just quickly” – which is when many distractions creep in.
2. Stick to a Clear, Consistent Work Schedule
Remote work promises flexibility, but without structure it can easily slide into chaos: late starts, extended lunches, working late into the evening and never truly switching off.
Aristotle reportedly said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” A productive remote work life is built on consistent habits and a schedule you can actually keep.
Set your core hours
If your role allows, agree with your manager on core hours – for example, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm – when you’re always available for meetings and collaboration. Around that, you can adjust your start or finish time slightly to suit your family or personal commitments.
Whatever hours you choose – say, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm – commit to:
- Starting on time (ideally after a short “commute” walk or morning routine)
- Logging off on time, unless there’s a genuine emergency
- Being responsive and focused during those hours
Use routines to reduce decision fatigue
You want to avoid wasting mental energy every day deciding when to work. Routines help:
- Start the day with the same small ritual – coffee, 5-minute stretch, check your planner
- Block out regular times for deep work, admin and meetings
- End each day with a short review and plan for tomorrow
The more you repeat these patterns, the easier it becomes to get into a productive flow without forcing it.
Protect your work–life balance
Overworking from home is just as harmful as underworking. Long-term, it can lead to burnout, sleep issues and declining performance.
- Avoid regularly working late or on weekends
- Communicate your availability clearly to colleagues and clients
- Physically “close down” at the end of the day – shut your laptop, tidy your desk, leave the room if possible
Your brain needs those signals to recognise that work is done for the day.
3. Use Productivity Tools and Apps Intentionally
One of the reasons people are often more focused in an office is the natural social pressure and fewer “easy” distractions. At home, social media, streaming services and online shopping are always only one click away.
Productivity tools can help rebuild those boundaries – if you use them strategically.
Task management and focus tools
Consider using:
- Task managers – Tools like Microsoft To Do, Google Tasks, Asana or Trello help you organise work into clear, manageable tasks, assign deadlines and prioritise what matters most.
- Time-boxing or Pomodoro timers – Apps or browser extensions that help you work in focused blocks (e.g. 25 minutes of work, 5-minute break).
- Note-taking apps – OneNote, Evernote, Notion or similar tools to keep work notes, ideas and meeting actions in one place.
At the start of each day, choose your top 3–5 priorities and enter them into your task manager. This gives you a realistic focus and reduces the temptation to jump between tasks.
Limit distractions by design
Instead of relying on willpower alone, use tools that restrict access to distracting websites and apps during work hours, such as:
- Browser extensions that block social media or news sites after a set daily limit
- Phone focus modes that silence non-essential notifications while you’re working
- Email scheduling or batching so you’re not constantly checking your inbox
These tools don’t replace self-discipline, but they make the right choice easier and help you stay in control of your time.
4. Build Healthy Eating and Sleeping Habits
When your kitchen is just a few steps away, constant snacking can become a habit – especially when you’re stressed or bored. At the same time, many remote workers compromise sleep to squeeze in “just a bit more work”.
Both are productivity killers.
Eat to support your energy, not spike it
Food isn’t just fuel; it directly impacts your concentration, mood and energy levels.
- Aim for balanced meals with lean protein (eggs, fish, poultry, legumes), whole grains, and plenty of vegetables.
- Include healthy snacks like fruit, nuts and yoghurt instead of sugary treats.
- Avoid constantly grazing throughout the day “because it’s there”.
- Stay hydrated – keep a water bottle at your desk and sip regularly.
Try to keep to consistent meal times: breakfast, lunch and a mid-afternoon snack if you need it. This helps prevent energy crashes that make it harder to concentrate.
Prioritise quality sleep
No productivity tip will work if you’re chronically sleep-deprived. Remote work can blur the line between rest and work, but your body still needs a proper sleep routine.
- Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep each night (6 is an absolute minimum, not a target).
- Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same times each day.
- Avoid late-night screen time where possible (or use blue light filters).
- Don’t keep your laptop in the bedroom – you want your brain to associate that space with sleep, not email.
Well-rested employees make better decisions, solve problems faster and are far less likely to burn out.
5. Stay Connected: Interact With Your Co-Workers
Remote work can easily slip into isolation. For some people, that seems appealing at first; for others, it’s draining from day one. In both cases, lack of communication quickly becomes a productivity problem.
Communicate more than you think you need to
In an office, you pick up information from overheard conversations, quick questions at someone’s desk and informal chats in the kitchen. Remote work removes that. To compensate, you need to be more deliberate:
- Use chat tools (Teams, Slack, etc.) to ask quick questions instead of staying stuck.
- Check in regularly with your manager and team – even a short daily update can help.
- Turn cameras on for key meetings to build rapport and reduce misunderstandings.
- Clarify expectations: due dates, priorities, responsibilities and “what success looks like”.
Clear communication reduces rework, delays and frustration – all of which drain productivity.
Build relationships, not just task updates
Productive teams are built on trust. Make time for human connection, not just project status:
- Join virtual coffee breaks or informal chats if your organisation runs them.
- Start meetings with a quick personal check-in.
- Offer help when colleagues are under pressure, and ask for it when you need it.
6. Get Out of the House
One of the biggest advantages of remote work is flexibility – you’re not chained to a single desk in a single building. Yet many remote workers find themselves stuck in the same spot at home day after day.
A change of scenery can reset your brain and boost your energy.
Use movement as a reset button
When you feel stuck, overwhelmed or easily distracted:
- Take a short walk around the house or outside.
- Do a quick stretch routine or a few simple exercises.
- Step away from your screen and look out a window for a couple of minutes.
These small breaks help reduce eye strain, improve circulation and give your brain a chance to reset. You’ll often return to your work with fresh clarity.
Try alternative work locations (securely)
If your role and local regulations allow:
- Work from a quiet café or coworking space once or twice a week.
- Visit a library for a change of environment if you need deep focus.
- Take non-confidential tasks (reading, planning, outlining) to an outdoor space.
Just remember:
- Avoid discussing sensitive information in public.
- Be careful about who can see your screen.
- Use a secure Wi-Fi connection and a VPN provided or approved by your IT team when working on company systems from public networks.
7. Schedule Regular, Meaningful Breaks
Deadlines and heavy workloads can tempt you to work straight through the day without moving from your desk. Over time, that approach backfires: you become less efficient, more prone to mistakes and more likely to burn out.
Short, intentional breaks increase productivity.
Plan your breaks, don’t wait for burnout
Instead of waiting until you’re exhausted:
- Build short breaks into your schedule – for example, 5 minutes every 30–60 minutes.
- Use your lunch break properly – step away from your desk to eat.
- Try techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of work, 5-minute break).
During your breaks:
- Stretch or walk – even around the room
- Listen to music, do a short breathing exercise or play with your pet
- Avoid diving into social media rabbit holes that are hard to escape
Protect your physical health
Remote work often means long periods sitting in front of a screen. Over time, this can cause:
- Eye strain
- Neck and back pain
- Headaches and fatigue
Use your breaks to look away from the screen, change posture and move your body. Small daily habits add up to long-term health.
8. Take Responsibility for Cybersecurity
Remote work changes your technology environment. Instead of a secure office network and centrally managed devices, you may be working from home Wi-Fi, personal networks or even shared spaces.
Cybercriminals know this – and they actively target remote workers.
Whether you’re working from home temporarily or permanently, securing your devices and data is a critical part of your job.
Follow your organisation’s security policies
- Use company-approved devices and software wherever possible.
- Install all security updates and patches promptly.
- Use strong, unique passwords and a reputable password manager.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all work accounts that support it.
- Lock your screen whenever you step away from your device.
If you’re unsure about a policy or tool, ask your IT support team for clarification and guidance.
Be alert to common cyberthreats
Remote workers are frequently targeted with:
- Phishing emails pretending to be from managers, colleagues, banks or delivery companies
- Malicious links and attachments that install malware or ransomware
- Fake Wi-Fi networks in public places
- Social engineering attempts via phone, email or messaging apps
Always:
- Double-check the sender’s email address and the URL before clicking.
- Be suspicious of urgent requests for payments, passwords or sensitive information.
- Verify unusual requests through a separate channel (e.g. call the person directly).
- Report suspicious emails or activity to your IT/security team immediately.
Good cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Your vigilance plays a big part in protecting your organisation’s systems, client data and reputation.
9. Set Boundaries With Family and Housemates
Another hidden challenge of remote work is the assumption from others that you’re “at home, so you must be available”. Without clear boundaries, interruptions can quickly derail your focus.
Communicate your working hours
If you live with others:
- Explain your working hours and why uninterrupted time matters.
- Agree on when it’s okay to interrupt (for genuinely urgent issues) and how.
- Use visual cues – a closed door, headphones, or a simple sign – to show when you’re not to be disturbed.
This can be especially important if you have children at home. Involve them in the routine where possible – for instance, planning when you’ll have breaks together.
Separate work and personal time
At the end of your workday:
- Log out of work accounts on your personal devices, if possible.
- Turn off or limit work notifications outside of agreed hours.
- Resist the temptation to “just check one more email”.
Your productivity during work hours improves when your brain knows it will also get genuine rest and family time.
10. Review, Adjust and Improve Over Time
There’s no one “perfect” way to work remotely. Your ideal routine will depend on your role, personality, home environment and company expectations.
What matters is that you don’t simply drift. Instead, treat your remote work setup as something you continuously improve.
At least once a month, ask yourself:
- What’s working well in my current routine?
- When do I feel most focused and productive?
- What consistently distracts or drains me?
- What can I change – environment, schedule, tools, communication – to improve things?
Make one or two small changes at a time and see how they impact your focus and results.
If your organisation has an IT support or HR team (for example, a managed service provider or internal IT department), involve them. They can often help with:
- Better tools and software
- Security and remote access solutions
- Hardware upgrades or ergonomic advice
- Training on collaboration and productivity tools
Bringing It All Together
Remote work isn’t just about where you sit; it’s about how you structure your day, set boundaries, look after your health, connect with others and protect your technology.
To work productively from home:
- Create a dedicated, distraction-free workspace
- Stick to a realistic and consistent work schedule
- Use productivity tools to support focused work and limit distractions
- Prioritise healthy eating and sleeping habits
- Stay connected and communicate clearly with your team
- Change your environment when you need a reset
- Take planned breaks to protect your energy and focus
- Take cybersecurity seriously and follow best practices
- Set boundaries with family and housemates
- Review and refine your setup regularly
With the right habits and support, remote work can give you the best of both worlds: strong performance for your employer or clients, and more control over your time, health and life.
If your organisation needs help setting up secure, reliable and productive remote work environments – from VPNs and collaboration tools to cybersecurity training – an experienced IT support partner can make all the difference.
“How can I work productively” is a troubling question that most employees face, especially when they just start working remotely. The pros that give your work hours flexibility can become disadvantages if you misuse them. The above tips can help you boost your productivity. If you need more assistance with remote working, you can always reach our IT team in Perth. Contact us or email us at helpdesk@computingaustralia.group for quick and easy IT solutions.
Jargon Buster
Remote work: Remote work, work from home, or telecommuting, refers to the working arrangement that allows employees to work from remote locations rather than the traditional corporate offices.
Productivity apps: Productivity apps are pieces of software that helps you work more efficiently.
