Here's how you can navigate the potential pitfalls of remote work as a writer.

Boundaries matter in the creative process. Have you ever tried to write something requring creativity and vision while being interrupted repeatedly? I have and it didn't go so well. I've learned to kindly set boundaries. I have trained family members not to bother me while I am working. I've trained myself to ignore notifications or silence them, stop procrastinating behavior while in the creative process. Block distractions by putting on headsets, music or sitting where others are not. For example, I made a garage my office while living with family members so I didn't hear their television, or have to answer questions that could wait until later. I trained myself to show up there. They observed my boundaries and it worked out well.

One challenge with remote work as a writer is that your home is your office. If it's true that acting the part gets us in the right mindset, it's important to proceed consistently as you would in the traditional office space. This may include dressing the part, keeping a neat workspace, setting and enforcing boundaries, limiting distractions, et cetera. With the major benefit of remote work being less or no time commuting, rather than spend that time passively, consider how you might use that time wisely to maximize your efforts at home. For example, if your commute was traditionally an hour in each direction, how might you use those two (2) hours productively? Time efficiency matters at home, too. Intentionality is key.

Remote writing: freedom with hurdles. Here's how to win: 1. **Work from a dedicated space.** 2. **Plan & prioritize tasks to stay focused.** 3. **Block distractions & set work hours with others.** 4. **Fight isolation with virtual coworking.** 5. **Set boundaries to avoid burnout.** 6. **Stay inspired: online groups or personal creative fuel.** 7. **Create a routine with breaks and exercise.** 8. **Track your progress to stay motivated.** Remote writing success awaits!

As a writer working remotely, here's how to dodge those pesky pitfalls: 1. **Distraction Destroyer:** Craft a dedicated workspace to minimize interruptions and maximize focus. 2. **Bye-Bye, Isolation:** Fight loneliness by joining online writing communities or co-working sessions. 3. **Schedule Savior:** Plan your day, including writing time, breaks, and communication windows. Set boundaries to avoid burnout. 4. **Motivation Master:** Set achievable goals, celebrate milestones, and reward yourself to stay on track. Consider time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique. 5. **Focus Fighter:** Beware of social media, games, or endless news feeds. Silence distractions or use website blockers if needed.

As someone who has worked remotely for most of my writing career, I can categorically say that setting boundaries cannot be over-emphasized. Consistency is also important because the trick is to stay consistent long enough for your subconscious mind to join the train. Once your mind catches up, doing the needful becomes more or less like a reflex act. One boundary that has worked for me is selecting a specific part of my home as my office. It doesn't have to be anything fancy; the head seat at the dining table can suffice. Just be disciplined enough to go there once it is work hours. Remote work can be a blessing and a curse, but when done right, the advantages are endless.

We don't rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level our systems is how the quote put it I believe. It's important to note that routines make up the systems you put in place for a life of success. Create a template of what your ideal week should look like - intentionally carve out work hours on your calendar and most importantly, set your goals so you're not overwhelmed by tasks and you know which task to focus on each week.

I'm very routine and task oriented, so I try my best to plan not just for the day, but the week. It doesn't mean I can't make room for something new that might come up, it means that I can what I have on my plate currently and what's coming up, making it far easier to switch gears. It also means that if I get ahead of the day, I'll just start whatever next thing I have, so I'm constantly ahead, which also alleviates stress and anxiety.

Consistency is the key...to anything. Structure matters. Create your own structure. You may use your circadian rhythms to define your most productive hours. Don't accept "no" for an answer from yourself. Morning is my time. I love morning. But, my productivity increases after coffee, quiet time, working out. Then- the work flows. I do it. I am reaching for even better consistency. There is something beautiful about routine. something that helps anchor us.

As you plan your day of remote working, stick to a routine of organization, productivity, and efficiency. Use Google Tasks to map out your top priorities and check off everything you complete. Wear comfortable clothes, brew your favorite coffee or tea, have a light breakfast, and have some music playing in the background. Create the best atmosphere around you to have a great day of remote working.

I’ve found that writing to a timer and focusing out external distractions has made it easier to create a zone of focus. Ambient music has been really helpful here. There are great tracks, such as some set to Lord of the Rings, but mixed more for mood and atmosphere. Enough to be absorbing, but without pulling you away from your project and into the book or movie.

Most remote jobs have communication programs such as Slack or Microsoft Teams that connect you with your colleagues. Don't be afraid to DM your coworkers to break up the routine of working remotely. You'd be surprised how a quick five-minute conversation around coffee, sports, TV shows, books, or whatever can help improve your day. This is even more fun when you DM someone you don't usually talk to. I love to randomly surprise coworkers by asking them how their day is or what the weekend's highlight was. It's important to network whenever you can.

As a content designer who has been setting standards for products, user experience & accessibility, when I work from home this isn't an issue. Most organisations use Slack, Zoom, Teams as a collaboration & communication platform (don't forget those daily stand ups/scrums). In fact when in office, you end up using these platforms communicating with your overseas colleagues. As a writer, I also need my peace, quiet & alone time to focus because it is equally important when I am working on complicated projects like SDK (API), procedural materials, etc. Having a circle outside your working space is also of utmost importance (I don't need to expand on this?

Getting out of the house regularly is an important part of successfully working remotely. This can be for anything - a hobby, a workout, walking the dog, or going to the coffee shop to work. But the most important thing is that you get out into the world and interact with people more days than not.

Keep all the pieces of “your office” together and in one place. When you travel, keep a checklist to make sure you have everything you need. For me, these things are essential for working from anywhere. - laptop, power cord, mouse - monitor, cables (2) - phone charger - USB cube - power bank - portable WiFi and charger cable - extra cables to charge random things you never count on dying. ??

Staying organized as a self-employed remote writer/editor is essential. Without that, you can easily fall behind on deadlines or find yourself with way too much on your plate. Having your work organized by deadline, priority and knowing what are the easiest things to check off your to-do list first can save you a lot of stress.

Organization is one of the biggest keys to success in remote working. It's easy to fall into issues where you go off a tangent to other less-important tasks and end up drowning in a sea of work due to not prioritizing what needs to be done. You can create a simple To-Do List, rank what is of the highest priority, and work your way down while crossing off what has been done. I love using Google Tasks to organize my digital To-Do List for maximum efficiency.

Health and family should always come first before anything. Every 2-3 hours you work, make sure to take a 10-minute break. Stand up, walk around, read a quick chapter, spend time with your pets or kids, etc. It's also essential to ensure you are always hydrated and have the usual breakfast and lunch as you work remotely. I live on coffee and KIND Bars since they are quick to consume and give me the energy needed to dominate.

Remote Writer Health: Think "Fit Brain, Fit Body, Fit Writing!" Healthy You = Focused, Energized You: Take care of yourself for better writing. Beat Sitting: Move your body, fight fatigue, and boost creativity. Manage Stress: Healthy habits like exercise and sleep keep stress away. Schedule breaks, dedicated workspace, healthy routine, and connect with others.

Get enough sleep! Get enough quality sleep! Get enough quality sleep regularly! When you get enough good quality sleep, regularly everything is easier and your work will be better. When you don’t get enough quality sleep regularly, everything is harder and your work suffers.

As a writer, you cannot pull from a dry creative well. And what refreshes our creative wells have almost nothing to do with work. Get up and have lunch in the kitchen. Play with your dog or take a dance break. You are not chained to your desk - don't act like you are. Take breaks, breath, and know your work is better for it.

Routine and boundaries are important - but so is embracing flexibility inherent to working remotely. If you're more productive at night, do your deep work then. If you like to get up early, knock out admin tasks and then take a mid-morning break, do so. You have control over your time, so lean into it.

As a contract writer, I wear many hats. I pay attention to hours, scheduling, organize meeting times, follow through on client requests in a timely manner, looking for new clientele on an on-going basis, keeping up with the times, ie: tech, writing styles, advancements in social media and so on. Working for creative professionals adds a layer of spontaneity I must maintain and keeping up with billing! With all of that, the thing I lean into is structure with flexibility. Flexibility may be thought of as a lack of structure, a waivering of what to do and when to do it, but as an entrepreneur, I am structured...and flexible. I know my day's goals but I am pliable enough to change my timing while still aiming for the finish line each day.

For my ADHD writers: if you're working from home and you have mobility, change your surroundings when you can. Your brain craves stimulation, so working in a coffee shop or a library for a few hours instead of being stuck in the same office all day long can go a long way for providing stimulation and making you more productive!