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Many people mistakenly believe that becoming more productive means accomplishing more goals in less time. However, you could do less and still be more productive. Of course some things are easier said than done, especially if you're new to remote work and struggling to stay productive. The good news is that you can implement simple but effective productivity hacks and tips that will change your life.

Here are some proven remote working strategies that will increase your productivity.

Set up an ideal "state of flux" work area

You might be tempted to work from your bed or couch. Aside from fatigue and exhaustion, not working from your ideal workstation can prevent you from achieving maximum productivity.

Try setting up a desk and chair (ergonomic furniture works best) in a specific place in your home. That way, your brain will be wired to the fact that walking into your home office is like walking to work.

However, you don't have to stay at your desk. Over time, you will find that you are more productive with certain tasks when you work in certain rooms or places. For example, you can have a patio office and feel more productive than when you are confined to a small room.

Working outdoors can be rewarding because of the effects that nature and natural lighting have on our brains. Another great alternative is to work from your coffee shop or nearby co-working space.

Avoid using your phone in the morning

Your phone comes with a productivity app - "Airplane mode". Once activated, you won't be distracted by notifications that ring every minute. Your concentration will be at its peak and you'll work faster and better.

Get a standing desk

Our ancestors used to hunt for survival. Now, we spend (almost) all day in front of a computer screen and another three hours watching TV before going to bed. This is simply bad for our health.

Working from home encourages a sedentary lifestyle. Your health matters, and small changes in the way you work can make a huge difference.

Get a standing desk and work half the time standing up.

Follow a programme

You'll be more organised if you have a plan to follow. You want to create a daily routine that gets you into a working state. Maybe it's a short workout, followed by a cold shower and then a cup of tea/coffee. Maybe you like to start your day with a morning run, followed by a hot shower and then a cup of overnight oats.

Whatever works for you, a routine will help you start your day the right way. Remember, planning your day ahead is planning for success.

Once you've established a routine, create a schedule that covers the entire day. A schedule helps you block out certain times of the day to focus deeply on work. It allows you to set strict time limits, such as knowing when to take breaks and when to unplug.

Plus, people will know when not to disturb you, allowing you to complete tasks without distractions and interruptions. To make your day more productive, schedule your tasks in your calendar. It allows you to visualise your day and makes it easier to manage your tasks.

Plus, a calendar prevents you from letting other people's priorities or your own procrastination invade your day and affect your productivity.

Track hours worked using the right system

We cannot stress this strategy enough. Working without knowing how you spend your time is a productivity killer. Most people aren't good at time management, which is why the most successful people use a time tracking system.

A time tracking tool monitors the time you spend on each task, project or client. The app automatically records your time-use habits and allows you to generate reports to analyse how you spend your working hours.

Time trackers have many benefits:

- Accurately record work hours to facilitate faster and more accurate payments.

-Keep track of how you spend your time to help you hone your time management skills.

-Monitor the apps and websites you use most often so you can remove or block those that waste your time.

-Collect data on your time usage to enable you to make better estimates of future projects.

-Send reminders about how much time you've worked so you can take breaks and avoid burnout.

Practice time blocking

What time of day do you feel most energized to tackle tasks? For most people, it's in the morning. Once you've determined your peak energy state, set aside 2-4 hours of that time for the most important task.

That way, you'll accomplish the task in less time and produce high-quality work. Leave the easier or less important tasks for later, when your energy starts to drain.

Schedule a time to check and respond to all your emails - from 

Use productivity apps

Online distractions waste minutes, which accumulate into hours and days of wasted productivity in the long run. To stay productive throughout the workday, you need to stay focused.

Here are some great free extensions you can install in your browser to protect your focus:

Adblock - to stop annoying ads, pop-ups and banners that interrupt your concentration.

Evernote Web Clipper - while you're doing your research, you'll come across an interesting article. Switching from one task to another will affect your ability to concentrate again and therefore affect your productivity. Resist the urge to read the article and cut it out in Evernote. You can read it later, after you have finished working. Alternatively, use the Collections feature in Edge to save the URL and check it later.

Workona Tab Manager - how many tabs do you have open when working? Ten? A dozen? Crowded tabs clutter your digital space and your thinking space. Use this tool to manage tabs and organise projects. You can find tabs by searching and back up tabs with automatic saving.

Don't stop learning

Always try to expand your knowledge, hone your skills and add new competences. You'll get better at what you do and prepare for promotions when the opportunity arises.

If you manage a team of remote workers, consider offering them training and development opportunities. Studies show that employees who feel they are constantly developing are more engaged at work.

Several resources offer e-learning courses, webinars and virtual conferences. Others, such as LinkedIn Learning and Skillshare, are online libraries that allow people to learn at their own pace.

Just make sure you ask your employees what they want, rather than forcing them to take a course they're not interested in.

Reward yourself

Rewarding ourselves is one of the most neglected things in life. You spend days, weeks and months working hard and forget to appreciate all that you've accomplished. Rewarding yourself will make you feel good about your achievements and can boost your motivation.

If you don't already do this, start rewarding yourself now with small things like a good meal at a good restaurant, a weekend trip, a day at the spa and so on. In time, this will turn into a habit you'll look forward to at the end of each work period.

If you are a leader, consider implementing recognition and reward programs for your team members. This will show your appreciation for their efforts and could help with employee retention.

Final thoughts

Establishing productivity strategies in a remote work environment will have tremendous benefits on your overall performance and well-being. Not only will you be happier, but you'll feel less stressed and more motivated.

The trick is to try several productivity hacks and adopt the ones that suit you.

Source: https://techlog360.com/remote-work-strategies-for-increased-productivity/