My 3-Hour Remote Work Routine That Doubled My Productivity (Steal It)
I used to work 10-hour days and accomplish nothing. Slack, emails, "quick questions" — my focus was constantly broken.
Then I discovered deep work blocks. Now I get my best work done in 3 focused hours each morning. Here's the exact routine.
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The 3-Hour Deep Work Block (6 AM - 9 AM)
6:00 AM - 6:30 AM: Morning Prep
- Wake up, shower, coffee
- NO phone, NO email, NO Slack
- Review yesterday's work log
- Choose 1-3 tasks for deep work block
6:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Deep Work (No Interruptions)
- Phone in another room (on silent)
- Slack closed, email closed, browser tabs closed
- Work in 90-minute sprints with 5-minute breaks
- Focus on your hardest, most important task first
What I accomplish in these 2.5 hours:
- Write 2-3 blog posts
- Complete a full project milestone
- Solve complex problems that used to take all day
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Communication Batch
- Open Slack, respond to all messages at once
- Check email, reply in batches
- Post daily update to team channel
- Schedule any meetings for afternoon
Why This Works
✅ Peak energy hours
Your brain is sharpest in the first 3 hours after waking. Use this time for hard work, not emails.
✅ No context switching
Every time you switch tasks, you lose 23 minutes to refocus. Batch similar tasks together.
✅ Async-first communication
Most Slack messages aren't urgent. Responding in batches keeps your focus intact.
Tools That Make This Possible
- Freedom or Cold Turkey: Block distracting websites during deep work
- Notion or Obsidian: Daily work log and task planning
- Toggl: Track actual productive hours (you'll be surprised)
- Timezone Calculator: Communicate your focus hours to global teams
FAQ: Deep Work for Remote Workers
What is the best time of day for remote work productivity?
Most people are most productive in the first 3 hours after waking up. Schedule your hardest tasks during your peak energy time, typically 8-11 AM.
How can I stay focused working from home?
Use time blocking, turn off notifications, work in 90-minute sprints with breaks, and create a dedicated workspace separate from relaxation areas.
What is deep work and why does it matter for remote workers?
Deep work is focused, uninterrupted work on cognitively demanding tasks. It produces higher quality output in less time compared to distracted, shallow work.
How do I avoid distractions when working remotely?
Close all communication apps during deep work blocks, use website blockers, put phone in another room, and communicate your focus hours to your team.
Master Remote Work Productivity
Written by Melanie Komjatiová, Remote Work Consultant and founder of RemotelyYou.co.