“What is the best productivity system for my remote team?” Well, it depends on how much friction and how steep of a learning curve you can handle. If the answer is “as little as possible,” then Zen to Done (ZTD) is what you’re looking for. If you’ve ever tried David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD)—or any productivity framework for that matter—you know that implementing it takes time and dedication. That’s…
Continue ReadingManaging a (remote) team is like dashing through the dungeons in Crypt of the Necrodancer. Move, wait, attack, regroup… your team acts and reacts in a very distinct rhythm. The question is: “How to adjust that rhythm to increase team productivity?” Here’s the thing. Distributed teams—yours included— CAN be more effective than their co-located counterparts. They can plan, communicate, make decisions, and get work done faster and with less friction…
Continue ReadingNo cubicle can match the comfy vibes of getting work done at home. But is your home office your temple? Is it free from distractions and pesky diversions? If not, it’s time to brush up on your routine and embrace the power of deep work. ⚡️ In today’s article, we take a look at Cal Newport’s deep work philosophy. We also adopt some of its principles to capitalize on focus…
Continue ReadingThe remote paradigm shift has made many of the “old ways” of office culture obsolete. Whether you’re a work-from-home freelancer, distributed team member, or a business owner, it’s time to build completely new remote habits and get things done in 2021. The good news is you don’t need ambitious goals or a spectacular 180 to become “the best you can be.” Instead, you should implement tiny, incremental changes that’ll put…
Continue ReadingChecklists have saved lives, helped teams succeed, and… sent people into space (more on that in a bit). But did you know that they can also make your distributed team self-reliant and more productive? (checklist template inside!) A checklist—simple list of steps/tasks arranged in sequential order—is one of the most powerful organization tools in our personal and professional lives. In this article, we explore the origins of checklists and the…
Continue ReadingThe recipe for a productive video conference is simple. Take a clear agenda, add willing participants, and set it to a quick, vigorous boil. But there’s one secret ingredient all distributed teams need but few use—a crisp meeting notes template to put things down in writing. Writer and business management expert Patrick Lencioni says that “the majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions.“ And we can’t but…
Continue ReadingNavigating a 100% remote workplace can be tricky, especially when you’re not exactly the most confident person in the world. The good news is, we’ve put together five confidence-boosting tips that’ll help you tune in to virtual office vibes in a jiffy. 🤔 How Do You Define Confidence? 1. self-assurance: trust in one’s abilities, capacities, and judgment.2. a belief that one is capable of successfully meeting the demands of a…
Continue ReadingAlthough word-processing has come a long way since WordStar days, many contemporary writers—George R. R. Martin included—still use legacy software for a frictionless, distraction-free writing experience. If you’re looking for a minimalist creative environment but don’t feel like going (way) back in time, we have something just for you. In this mini-guide, we’ll show you how you can use Taskade to conduct research, organize reading notes, outline documents, and—wait for…
Continue ReadingHow often do you touch base with your distributed team? If the answer is “whenever it’s necessary,” then you’re missing out on a number of interesting benefits of organic internal communication. Find out how you can leverage the power of dialogue to make your team more self-sufficient, tight-knit, and productive. Here are some questions we’re biting into in this article: 💡 Before you begin… This is another installment in our…
Continue ReadingTerry Crews doesn’t check his email before hitting the gym, but it’s a safe bet that everyone else does. Over the course of almost 50 years (!), email has become a staple in our professional lives. Now that the modern workplace pivots to remote, it’s about time we challenged the status quo: Does @mailto belong in remote workflows? 🤔 If you’re like most knowledge workers, chances are you have a…
Continue ReadingDo you think you can juggle multiple tasks and not flop any of them? Well, let’s just say that the myth of multitasking was busted a long time ago. But don’t worry, you can still bet on *remote* cross-functional teams that are up for the task (or two). 🏋️ Regardless if you are a freelancer or work as part of a remote team, some tasks and projects are just too…
Continue ReadingRemember the 1992 Glengarry Glen Ross scene where Alec Baldwin’s character schools the sales team on the principles of Always Be Closing (ABC)? That’s some A-level mentoring right there. Wouldn’t it be cool if fully distributed teams could get a *similar* learning experience through remote mentoring sessions? 🤝 What’s Remote Mentoring? 📘 Mentoring: employee training system under which a senior or more experienced individual (the mentor) is assigned to act…
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Simplify Team Productivity With Zen to Done (ZTD) 
Team Productivity Guide: How to Build Faster Remote Teams 
Losing to Distractions? Boost Team Focus With Deep Work in 2024! 
Build Effective Remote Teams With Atomic Habits 
The Power of Checklists in Distributed Teams 
Got a Minute? A Quick Guide on How to Write Virtual Meeting Notes 
How to Build Confidence in a Remote Workplace 
Distraction-Free Writing Starts With Taskade (Updated for 2024) 
How to Boost Internal Communication in a Distributed Team 
Email in Remote Workflows: A Complicated Relationship 
Multitasking for Remote Cross-Functional Teams (Updated for 2024) 
Onboarding and Mentoring Remote Employees