How to Stay Productive When You’re Working Remotely (Even on Vacation!)

Working remotely can feel like the ultimate freedom — but it’s easy to slip into distraction mode, especially when you’re working from home or traveling. Here’s what I’ve learned (often the hard way!) about staying focused and getting things done no matter where you’re working from:

1. Designate Your Workspace

   Give yourself a dedicated spot to work, whether it’s a quiet corner of your Airbnb or a cozy nook at home. Physically separating “work” from “chill” space makes a huge difference in staying on task.

   
   

2. Stick to a Routine I can’t emphasize this enough: routines are everything. Set your work start and end times and do your best to protect them. When your brain knows it’s “work time,” you’ll slip into focus mode more easily.

   
   

3. Use Task Management Tools If you’re like me and love a good checklist, lean on tools like Trello, Asana, or Todoist. Break bigger projects into bite-sized tasks so you never feel overwhelmed.

   
   

4. Keep Distractions in Check I get it — TikTok, Instagram, Netflix — they’re all calling your name. Use apps like Freedom or Focus@Will to help block those tempting sites while you work. You’ll thank yourself later.

   
   

5. Take Real Breaks Breaks are not optional. Try something like the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of laser-focused work, then a 5-minute break. You’ll be shocked how much more you get done — without feeling fried.

   
   

6. Communicate Clearly If you work with a team, keep those lines of communication open. Slack, Zoom, and even a good old-fashioned phone call go a long way. Collaboration only works if everyone’s on the same page.

   
   

7. Protect Your Boundaries I had to learn this the hard way: tell people your work hours. Set boundaries with family and friends so they know when you’re working and when you’re free. Otherwise, they’ll think you’re available 24/7 — and you’re not.

   
   

8. Lean on Tech Automation tools like Zapier or IFTTT are lifesavers. And cloud storage (hello, Google Drive!) means you can work from just about anywhere. Let tech do the heavy lifting so you can focus on what really matters.

   
   

9. Take Care of You Don’t forget your own well-being. Eat decent food, move your body, and get enough rest. You’ll have way more energy and focus to show up for your work.

   
   

10. Stay Flexible If you’re traveling, give yourself some grace. Shift your work hours around your adventures — maybe you’re super productive in the morning before sightseeing. That flexibility is what makes remote work so amazing. At the end of the day, working remotely is an incredible opportunity — but only if you protect your productivity. These strategies have kept me (and my coaching clients) on track no matter where we’re working from.

If you’re curious about building your own profitable group home business that you can manage from anywhere, make sure you’re on my newsletter list — you’ll get practical tips, inspiration, and next steps straight to your inbox: subscribe to Group Home on Autopilot here.