Building a productive morning routine as a remote worker

A well-structured morning routine can set the tone for a productive day. Having worked remotely for the majority of my career (20+ years), I’ve developed habits that work well for me while also recognizing areas for improvement. This article is a reflection of what I’ve learned and refined over the years.

Sleeping and waking up

A productive morning actually begins the night before. I’m someone who naturally sleeps relatively early, which allows me to start my day early as well. That said, if I know I don’t have work the next day, I enjoy bending the rules—whether it’s a late-night movie or an evening out.

I have a consistent alarm set for 7 AM every day, though most of the time, I wake up before it rings. Over the years, my body has adapted, making early rising an unconscious habit. I’ve found that waking up at the same time every day helps regulate my body clock, making mornings feel less groggy and more automatic.

One thing I try to avoid is checking my emails or messages the second I open my eyes. I used to do this, and I realized it set the wrong tone for the rest of my day. I haven’t completely broken the habit—I still glance at my phone while brewing my first coffee. But instead of diving into work messages, I focus on the notifications that spark joy—like a sale of my Ghost theme, which, I’ll admit, is a fantastic mood booster.

Preparation: Easing into the day

I like to start my morning with purpose, setting myself up with habits that energize and motivate me. The first step? A morning walk. It’s my basic form of exercise, typically lasting 5-6 kilometers. During this time, I plug into my curated list of podcasts—some inspire me, while others feed my tech enthusiast side.

No matter the weather or the season, my next step is always a morning shower. This is, without a doubt, my most consistent habit. For me, it works like a system reboot—clearing out the previous day’s clutter and giving me a fresh start.

Then comes breakfast. I aim to keep it healthy and high in protein, though I wouldn’t call myself a role model for perfect nutrition. What I do prioritize, however, is my morning chat with my wife. This is our time to check in on family matters, plan our day, and—most importantly—have an uninterrupted conversation that, in any other scenario, would likely be hijacked by our daughters (parents, you know exactly what I mean).

The importance of consistency

Having a consistent schedule that separates personal time from work time is key. Without it, everything blurs together, and suddenly, you’re reacting to tasks instead of proactively managing them.

My morning routine isn’t perfectly in sync with my wife’s, but I use that to my advantage. Since I’m ready earlier, I take that time to catch up on emails, scan for any urgent messages, and knock out minor tasks. This way, by the time I officially start my workday, my top priorities are already lined up and ready to tackle. Breakfast serves as the natural transition between our routines, ensuring that by the time we both start working, we have a clear understanding of what needs to get done.

Let’s get to work

By the time I sit at my desk, I already feel like I’ve accomplished quite a bit. I’ve exercised, entertained or inspired myself with podcasts, and connected with my family over breakfast. That sense of accomplishment gives me momentum, making it easier to dive into work without feeling sluggish or overwhelmed.

Now, it’s time to open emails and catch up on Twist threads, but because I’ve already established my key priorities, I’m not drowning in messages—I’m tackling them with purpose. My to-do list becomes my guide, keeping me focused rather than scattered.

When I start working on my tasks at Doist, I ensure that one takes center stage as my main priority, with one or two more as secondary. I’ve learned to avoid overloading my list with tasks I won’t realistically complete within the day, preventing the cycle of endlessly rescheduling them. I used to add all my work-related tasks to Todoist on Monday, only to shuffle the leftovers forward each day. While this sometimes resulted in getting everything done, it didn’t always leave me feeling accomplished. More often than not, I felt like I hadn’t done enough. By setting a few key priorities instead, I now finish my workdays with a greater sense of satisfaction and progress.

Final thoughts

I get it—not everyone is a morning person, and that’s completely fine. The goal isn’t to force yourself into someone else’s routine but to experiment with your own schedule and figure out what works best for you.

Adapt your morning based on your city, climate, and personal responsibilities. Identify what brings you energy, what helps you focus, and—most importantly—what you can consistently turn into a habit. Because at the end of the day, consistency is what transforms a routine from a temporary fix into a long-term success.

I always find it inspiring to hear how others structure their mornings. What are your go-to habits? Are there any tools or products that play a major role in your routine, or do you prefer to adapt each day? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!