What do you usually imagine when you hear “remote work”? Actually, you can enter it in Google Images and most of them will show you quite a scenery. I bet there is going to be a girl (or a guy) lying on a deck chair on the beach in front of the sea with a notebook and working. Well, that’s how remote work doesn’t look in real life.

So, what does it take to be a successful remote worker? What should you not do under any circumstance if you work from home? Asking myself these and similar questions, I came up with 8 specific guidelines.

Surely, these guidelines are based on personal experience and they are not exhaustive. However, they can give you an idea of how to work remotely and come up with your own list.

Never work in your PJ’s

As tempting as it is, you won’t be able to concentrate on the work you’re doing. PJ’s are for sleeping and your mind knows that. Thus, when you are in PJ’s, your body and mind have two simple intentions: rest and sleep. Believe me, they are not aware that you decided to work from home and you are just too lazy to get up and get dressed. So yes, get up, change, get yourself a cup of coffee and sit down to work.

Find your work zone

Even if you work from home, you need to have a specific place where you can work with no distractions. Think of the place where your dog, cat or a child who always strives for attention can’t access. Not having a cabinet room is not an excuse; make yourself one.

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Track the work time

At least, make sure you are actually working and not just surfing the Internet. Time tracking is great for remote workers, as it allows you to know how much time you spend on your tasks. It’s as handy for lazy people to accumulate themselves, as it is for workaholics to know when it’s time to rest. This happens too.

Set yourself personal deadlines

‍That’s one more way to accumulate your resource. The deadline that you get from the third party is good, but if you are a last-minute person who needs to look for an inspiration now and then, a personal deadline is a must-have.

Creative ideas left you? Take a shower!‍

As strange as it seems, a shower is a lifesaver. It helps to clear your head, literally. As a half-measure you can wash your head and get refreshed a bit. It’s a good technique when you need to come up with a creative idea and the best you can get out of yourself now is a “time-crime” rhyme.

Get your ass off the chair!‍

Do some exercise. One of the major problems for remote workers is that they don’t really move. A journey to the kitchen or to the restroom doesn’t count. Sure, if you exercise every morning, that’s great but you are in the minority. Even if you do morning yoga or go for a morning run, spend 15 minutes on the workout during the day. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Meditate‍

It’s been proven a dozen times that meditation helps to relax and fill you up with energy in 15–20 minutes. It’s considered even better than sleep.

Meditation is not for you? Take a nap

‍However, if you don’t feel like meditating, just go to bed. Not for good, sorry. Just for 15–20 minutes and you will feel much better afterwards.