1. Set your working hours and stick to them

When working remotely, the boundaries between work and personal life are easily blurred. While in the office you start and end your working day according to a specific schedule, at home it is very easy to “forget” yourself at your desk. Regular working hours not only help increase productivity, but also prevent burnout, which is more common in working from home. Research suggests that when you have firmly established beginnings and endings, it's easier to switch off and attend to personal matters.

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• Use an alarm clock or timer to remind you of the start and end of the working day.
• Plan your lunch breaks and rest as consistently as you would in a regular workplace — this will help you maintain energy during the afternoon.

2. The workplace as the basis of productivity

While it can be tempting to work from the sofa, it's not a good solution in the long run. A quality working environment significantly increases the ability to concentrate, in addition, the ergonomic layout prevents health problems such as back and wrist pain. Switching to “work mode” will make it easier if you reserve a specific place at home just for work — ideally separate from the rest of the household so that nothing distracts you.

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• Get a quality work chair and set your desk to a suitable height so that your arms and back are in the correct position.
• Use headphones with ambient noise cancellation or quiet music to help you concentrate better, especially if you work in a busy home environment.

3. Plan breaks for greater work efficiency

Working without regular breaks reduces productivity and leads to exhaustion. An effective method is the Pomodoro technique, when working intensively for 25 minutes, followed by a short five-minute pause. Take a longer break every fourth time — for a snack or a short stretch. This approach increases concentration and helps to better distribute energy during the day.

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• Download apps like Focus Booster or Forest to remind you of pauses and help you plan your work time better.
• Try to walk in the fresh air or stretch your muscles during longer breaks to avoid fatigue and stiffness.

4. Plan your day with clear priorities

Working from home, we often encounter less scrutiny and it can be hard to keep a firm schedule. Therefore, set priorities at the beginning of each day that will help you stay on track. Techniques like “Eat That Frog” (dedicating yourself to the biggest tasks right at the beginning of the day) increase the chances that you'll finish what's most important to your workday. Scheduling and prioritizing tasks greatly reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed and gives you a sense of control.

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• Use scheduling apps like Asana or Trello to break down tasks by importance and deadline.
• Write down a list of key tasks each morning and divide them according to the time you have available - you will see that with a clear structure, your working day is more efficient.

5. Effective communication with colleagues and team

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When working remotely, you risk feeling isolated from your team. Fortunately, today's technologies allow for easy communication, but even that can be double-edged — too many meetings and messages impair concentration. Therefore, set aside fixed time for regular contacts and updates so that they do not interfere with your focused work. The choice of channels for communication is also important; not everything needs to be addressed immediately, and some messages are better to send by e-mail instead of calling.

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• Establish regular check-ins with colleagues via Zoom or Teams, but limit their number to the minimum necessary.
• Clarify which communication channel is appropriate for a particular type of message — this will help you reduce the number of notifications and maintain greater concentration.

6. Observe work-life balance

One of the key risks of working from home is sliding towards “never switching off.” This feeling can lead to burnout as well as weakening relationships with family and friends. Clearly defined boundaries are important, as is a commitment to regular activities to help you relax and recharge your energy. Establish an after-work routine, such as a walk or time with family, to really “switch off.”

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• After the workday is over, turn off your work computer and notifications to resist the temptation to work overtime.
• Set aside time for exercise or hobbies -- even if you're working from home, it's important to regularly engage in activities outside of work that help keep you energized.

The key challenge of teleworking is maintaining work productivity and personal well-being. A solid structure, regular breaks, quality communication and a separate space for work are the essential building blocks to help you stay efficient and satisfied.

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