In the age of remote work, staying productive is more crucial than ever. The home environment, while comfy, can be a hotbed for distractions.

To remain productive, you need to have a good arsenal of productivity tools. These tools can help you manage your time, streamline communication, and keep you focused on your work.

Before diving into the list, it's important to note that the right tools can vary depending on your specific needs and the nature of your work. However, there are some universal tools that can benefit almost anyone.

Essential Tools for Every Remote Worker

A reliable internet connection

The first thing every remote worker should have in their arsenal is a reliable internet connection. If you're working from your home office, this shouldn’t be a problem – you probably have stable internet access at home.

However, if you're planning to work elsewhere, it might be prudent to get a mobile hotspot to ensure that you can stay connected when you need to. Depending on where you're located, there are many good options available from local networks. In the U.S., you can get a portable mobile hotspot device from Walmart or Amazon.

Tools to help you stay connected

Slack and Zoom are the dynamic duo of remote work communication. Slack is perfect for quick chats, file sharing, and even some fun with its various integrations. Zoom, on the other hand, has become the go-to for video conferencing, offering a range of features like breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds. Some organizations prefer to use Microsoft Teams, Skype, WeChat, or Whatsapp for instant communication.

No matter what your team decides to use, make sure that you're maximizing all the add-ons or mini tools that come with your office communicator. Not only will these tools help you keep your team engaged, but they can also boost your team productivity by making sure that nothing falls between the cracks.

Project management tools

When it comes to keeping your tasks and deadlines organized, Asana and Trello are your best bets. Asana offers a comprehensive dashboard where you can assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. Meanwhile, Trello uses a more visual approach, allowing you to create boards and cards to visualize your workflow.

Other good tools that you can explore are Notion, Monday.com, and our personal favorite, ClickUp. These platforms are highly customizable, although, depending on your level of comfort with these new tools, there might be a steep learning curve to overcome.

Time management tools

Managing your time effectively is crucial when working remotely. Digital tools like RescueTime gives you a detailed report of how you spend your time online, helping you identify time-wasters.

If time-tracking is something you find distracting, you can opt for more traditional techniques such as the Pomodoro technique, which can help you work in short, focused bursts.

Another method you can use is timeboxing. Think of it as a budgeting exercise, but for time. It simply means allocating blocks of time in your calendar for specific tasks. Instead of working on a particular task until it's done, you can decide on how much time you'll spend on it. This helps you not lose sight of other equally important projects, and make sure that you're on track to deliver on projects and activities you've committed to.

Other Tools That Take Productivity to the Next Level

Once you've got the basics covered, it's time to explore tools that can give you a massive boost in productivity.

Tools for automating repetitive tasks

Zapier and IFTTT (If This Then That) are all about making your life easier by automating repetitive tasks. Zapier can connect your favorite apps and automate workflows, while IFTTT lets you create custom "recipes" to automate tasks between different services.

Collaboration tools

For real-time collaboration, Google Workspace, Figma, and Miro are game-changers. Google Workspace allows multiple users to work on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations simultaneously. Miro offers a virtual whiteboard where teams can brainstorm, plan, and analyze together.

Here's a not-so-open secret: If your team already has a premium Canva subscription, you can take advantage of their visual collaboration tools that you can use for brainstorming and workshops. It's a gamechanger for teams that are looking to streamline their workflows. Like most other apps, it offers integration with other tools that your team may already be using, such as Slack, Google Drive, MailChimp, or Hubspot.

The Right Tools Make All the Difference

In the world of remote work, the right set of tools can be the difference between a productive day and a day lost to distractions. They won't do the work for you, but they'll certainly make your work life more manageable and efficient.

Start exploring these tools and elevate your productivity game today!