Tips on Working Remote!

Key Wellness & Productivity Strategies for Working Remote (From the Speaker’s Experience)

Establish a routine from day one

• Don’t let work/home blend together too much.
• Keep a consistent start and end to the workday.

Start your day with self-care (before work)

Do something “for you” first—even if it’s short:

• Favorite drink
• Small skincare routine
• 15 minutes of stretching / movement
• Gym time

Avoid the “roll out of bed → laptop immediately” habit.

Create a dedicated workspace

• Have a specific place that signals “work time” (and ideally a separate space that signals “home time”).
• Keep it organized/tidy and suitable for calls—even a corner of a table works.

Use a home-office budget wisely (ergonomics first)

If your company offers a work-from-home stipend, prioritize:

• Ergonomic desk chair
• Wireless mouse
• Wireless keyboard
• Sit-stand desk (optionally; even adjust-height benefits posture)
• Noise-cancelling headphones (deep focus + call clarity)

Take intentional breaks (and actually leave your desk)

• Put breaks on your calendar (e.g., 15-minute blocks).
• Physically leave the work area and mentally disconnect.
• Avoid using breaks to scroll aimlessly.

Eat lunch away from your desk

Step away so you don’t keep seeing email/notifications while eating.

Stick to work hours and “close the laptop”

• Try not to drift into evening work just because it’s available.
• When finish time hits, stop—“it’s not okay to keep going” as a default rule.

Time-block your day

Identify when you’re:

• Most focused/energetic/communicative

Then block:

• Email checking windows (so you’re not constantly monitoring)
• Creative/deep work time vs. “mundane” tasks
• Meetings during your best times
• Lunch time

Reduce task switching by focusing on one block at a time.

Silence notifications to protect focus

Especially during deep work:

• Reduce email/Teams pings so everything doesn’t feel urgent.
• Adopt the mindset that not everything needs immediate attention.

Plan your day with a simple to-do list (pen & paper encouraged)

Before opening email/laptop, write:

• Deliverables and key tasks
• Key emails to send/respond to

Then:

• Check what’s manageable, prioritize, and adjust when interruptions come up.
• Optionally plan tomorrow at the end of the day to reduce morning “thinking load.”
• Use checkboxes to track progress.

Meetings: be strategic

• Don’t attend meetings that don’t require your presence.
• If you can’t attend, prefer to be included via:
  • Notes
  • Action items / follow-ups
• Watch out for meeting fatigue.

Get everything in writing

After discussions, send/confirm details by email or documentation.

“When in doubt, write it out” to avoid memory gaps and preserve clarity (who said what, action items, etc.).

Set boundaries (with coworkers and household members)

Examples:

• Door closed = do not enter
• Headphones on = do not disturb / meeting mode

With coworkers:

• Ask them to email/message instead of calling if it disrupts your focus.

Use timers for focus and for meeting readiness

Timers help you:

• Take planned micro-breaks between focus sessions
• Avoid missing meetings (e.g., reminder 5 minutes before)

Maintain connection with coworkers (reduce isolation)

• Schedule brief catch-up touchpoints, especially with close collaborators.
• For teams: consider a recurring Friday afternoon “catch-up” slot to consolidate questions and reduce daily interruptions.

Mind your mood and routine comfort

• Comfy clothes are great, but changing outfits intentionally can improve mood/energy.
• The speaker recommends getting ready with intention at least once or twice a week.

Ask for support when you need it

• Remote work requires more intentional communication.
• If you feel stuck, message/email your team or set quick help meetings.
• Avoid feeling like you’re a “one-person show”—lean on the team.

Don’t skip PTO

• Take your paid time off even while working from home.

Presenters / Sources

• Talo (speaker name as referenced in the subtitle closing: “talo woo h”)