With the vaccination efforts in full swing, companies and knowledge workers around the world are now facing an important question: “Go back to the offices or stay fully remote?” And we can’t but sympathize with the dilemma. Telecommuting comes with some great benefits—flexible schedule, being your own boss, no more traffic jams—but it’s not the easiest thing to pull off. In fact, remote work is really hard, especially for the…
“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…
Managing 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…
No 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…
Have you always dreamed of working from home but now feel exhausted, dissatisfied, and isolated? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. While the shift to remote work has panned out for many, some telecommuters are still suffering from remote work burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic has proved that remote work is the future of work. But it also showed that we need to adopt it gradually and with due preparations. Technical hiccups,…
The 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…
Checklists 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…
If the ongoing work-from-home experiment had a tagline, this quote—erroneously attributed to Abe Lincoln—would be it: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” So, what do you say we sharpen that (metaphorical) ax of yours and learn how to focus while working from home? Here are some of the questions we answer in this article: 💡 Before you…
Although 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…
If you’re like most “fresh” remote workers, chances are the new reality without a commute gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling. But as it usually happens with lit things, there’re some caveats too. In this case, it’s WFH procrastination that spoils all the fun. Whether you’ve fallen in love with remote work or already miss your cubicle, one thing’s certain. Motivating yourself to get work done at home is…
Do 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…
As more companies are extending their remote work policies, we thought it might be a good time to revisit the concept of work from home (WFH) and see where it stands today. While the growing popularity of flexible, off-site work arrangements is a positive thing (even if it’s by necessity), the concept of a fully remote workplace is still intimidating to many. If you’re new to remote work or just…