This may sound obvious, but a defined workspace is critical to remote work.

It can be a desk, a shelf,  chair, a corner on the floor near a power outlet, but you must set up a defined workspace. In it you will have power, light, your computer (or smartphone or tablet), a seat, some kind of desk space, and Internet access (if required – and it is not always required).

Importantly, it must be yours, and if it can’t be physically separated from the rest of your environment, it must be psychologically separated from it.

I cannot tell you how easy it is for your significant other to enter your workspace to just say “Hi.” This is the biggest productivity killer imaginable.

Don’t let it happen. You will have scheduled breaks. That’s the perfect time to chat.

Otherwise – just say no!

Do not let yourself be interrupted by your phone (that’s what voicemail is for), your messaging apps (unless it’s your boss or a work emergency), poorly scheduled meetings (we’ll go over that in a minute), the urge to walk into the kitchen, or the desire to organize your sock drawer in the middle of the day.

If you are supposed to work from 9 to 5, then work from 9 to 5. Don’t start before 9 am, and don’t stop before 5 pm.

Take the same breaks you’d take if you were in the office, including – and this is important – lunch!

Regular hours increase productivity.

If your workday ends at 5 pm, shut off your devices and walk away from your workspace. Otherwise, you are very likely to sit there forever.

When you work remotely, you’re never late for work, but you can never leave the office, either. Force yourself to stop working.

When your scheduled work day ends, it’s time to switch gears!

I have a morning ritual. I perform it ritualistically. I do it every day. It is a dynamic, evolving ritual that has adapted to my age and stage over the years.

You need your own. Create one.