Working from home or anywhere outside the traditional office requires more than a laptop and good intentions. This remote work essentials checklist helps you create a productive, healthy, and secure routine and workspace so you can do your best work consistently. Use it to audit your current setup, prioritize upgrades, and create habits that prevent burnout.
1. Workspace Basics
Dedicated workspace
- Carve out a consistent location for focused work. It doesn’t need to be a whole room, but a dedicated nook helps your brain separate work and home life.
- Make sure your desk area allows for proper posture and enough surface for your gear.
Ergonomic setup
- Invest in a comfortable chair with lumbar support, an adjustable desk or riser for standing breaks, and an external keyboard and mouse if you use a laptop.
- Position your monitor(s) at eye level to avoid neck strain.
Lighting and sound
- Natural light boosts mood and alertness; place your desk near a window when possible.
- Use task lighting for late afternoons and noise-cancelling headphones or white-noise options to minimize distractions.
2. Essential Technology and Tools
Reliable internet and backups
- Prioritize a high-speed internet plan and keep a secondary option like a mobile hotspot or local coworking pass for outages.
- Test your upload and download speeds and adjust video call settings accordingly.
Hardware checklist
- Laptop or desktop with sufficient RAM and processor for your tasks.
- External monitor(s), webcam, headset, and surge protector.
- External storage or cloud backup for important files.
Software and collaboration tools
- Keep up-to-date video conferencing, chat, project management, and file-sharing apps.
- Standardize file naming and folder structures to streamline collaboration.
3. Communication and Team Habits
Clear expectations
- Agree on core hours, response times, and preferred channels for different types of communication.
- Use asynchronous communication for updates that don’t require immediate feedback.
Regular check-ins
- Schedule recurring stand-ups, one-on-ones, and team retrospectives to sustain alignment and reduce email overload.
4. Security and Data Protection
Device security
- Use strong, unique passwords and a reputable password manager.
- Enable two-factor authentication for all critical accounts.
Network safety
- Secure your home network with a strong router password and firmware updates; consider a VPN for sensitive work.
5. Health, Boundaries, and Routine
Movement and breaks
- Follow the 50/10 or 90/20 rule: focused work blocks with short movement breaks to reduce fatigue.
- Schedule micro-exercises, eye breaks, and standing periods.
Mental boundaries
- Define a clear end-of-day ritual: power down devices, update your task list for tomorrow, and transition to personal time.
- Communicate your availability to household members and set visual cues for deep focus time.
Nutrition and hydration
- Keep a water bottle at your desk, plan simple healthy meals, and use timers to avoid working through lunch.
6. Productivity Systems and Time Management
Task organization
- Use a single task manager or prioritized to-do list and follow a consistent method (time blocking, Pomodoro, or weekly sprints).
- Break big projects into small, actionable tasks with deadlines.
Focus strategies
- Turn off non-essential notifications during deep work blocks and use digital detox periods to recharge.
7. Backup Plans and Professional Development
Contingency planning
- Prepare for tech failures: keep critical contacts, alternate devices, and offline access to key files.
Continuous learning
- Set aside weekly time for skills development, online courses, or reading relevant industry content to stay marketable.
8. Family, Pets, and Shared Spaces
Housemate agreements
- Discuss quiet hours, camera-on expectations, and shared space etiquette with those you live with.
- Create a visual signal for do-not-disturb times if you share living areas.
Quick Printable Checklist (Summary)
- Dedicated workspace secured
- Ergonomic chair and monitor
- Reliable internet + backup
- Headset, webcam, external storage
- Updated collaboration apps
- Password manager + MFA
- VPN + secure router
- Daily movement & scheduled breaks
- Defined work hours & communication norms
- Backup plan and learning time
Getting Started: First 7 Days
Day 1: Set up your physical workspace and test internet speed.
Day 2: Install and configure essential apps, enable MFA.
Day 3: Ergonomic adjustments and lighting tuning.
Day 4: Draft communication norms with your team/household.
Day 5: Create a weekly schedule with focused blocks.
Day 6: Test backup plans and hotspot options.
Day 7: Review and refine your checklist based on what worked.
Final Tips
Start small: prioritize the items that will remove the biggest friction from your day. Revisit this checklist quarterly—technology changes and personal needs evolve, and a healthy remote work setup grows with you. Keep a printable version near your workspace so you can maintain consistency and continue improving your remote work experience.