The shift to remote work has become the norm for many accounting professionals. And while it offers flexibility, it can also blur the boundaries between your personal and professional life. Distractions creep in. Motivation dips. Productivity fluctuates. Do you have a good setup to stay productive and motivated while working from home? Or do you need a refresher?
At Accountingfly, we’ve helped hundreds of accountants transition to virtual jobs—and we know what works because we are fully virtual too! Here’s how to stay productive and motivated while working from home, with actionable strategies, checklists, and real-life tools you can use starting today.
1. Create a Dedicated Workspace
Why it matters: A designated workspace signals to your brain that it’s time to focus. It also helps limit distractions and creates a physical separation between “home” and “work.”
Checklist:
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Choose a quiet, well-lit area
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Use a comfortable chair and an ergonomic setup
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Keep only work-related items on your desk
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Avoid working from the couch or bed
2. Establish a Routine and Stick to It
Why it matters: A consistent routine helps you start strong, manage energy throughout the day, and create a healthy work-life balance.
Sample Daily Schedule:
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8:30 a.m. – Start work, check emails
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9:00 a.m. – Deep work: accounting tasks or client projects
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10:30 a.m. – Break (stretch, hydrate)
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10:45 a.m. – Project continuation or follow-ups
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12:00 p.m. – Lunch break
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1:00 p.m. – Virtual meetings, reviews, or client calls
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2:00 p.m. – Admin or wrap-up tasks
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3:30 p.m. – Short break
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3:45 p.m. – Finalize work, prep for tomorrow
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5:00 p.m. – End of workday
Weekly Routine Example:
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Monday: Set weekly goals, touch base with your team
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Tuesday–Thursday: Deep work focus and client work
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Friday: Touch base with your team for last-minute needs, review projects, and plan for next week
3. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Why it matters: Smart tools can automate repetitive work, organize your day, and eliminate manual time-wasters—freeing up your brain for more strategic tasks.
Examples of helpful personal tech:
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Fireflies.ai – AI notetaker that transcribes your client calls and meetings
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Zapier or IFTTT – Connect apps to automate file saving, email sorting, and task syncing
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Todoist or Microsoft To Do or Google Tasks – Keep daily priorities clear and accessible
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Toggl – Track how much time you’re spending on tasks and identify time drains
4. Set Clear Goals Daily
Why it matters: Breaking your day into focused priorities gives your work structure, keeps you from spinning your wheels, and builds momentum. Writing down three must-do tasks—two work-related and one personal—gives you a clear path for the day and a mental boost when you check them off.
Goal Setting:
Each morning, take five minutes to write down the three things you must get done today:
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Two work-related priorities that align with your current projects or deadlines
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One personal priority that supports your well-being or home life
These become your anchors for the day. Keeping your focus here ensures you make progress where it counts most.
5. Take Care of Your Well-being
Why it matters: Staying physically and mentally healthy is essential to long-term productivity and motivation.
Timeline Checklist for Your Day:
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8:30 a.m. – Drink a full glass of water and eat breakfast
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10:30 a.m. – Take a 5-minute stretch or short walk
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12:00 p.m. – Eat a balanced lunch away from your desk
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2:30 p.m. – Pause for 3 minutes of deep breathing or mindfulness
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4:00 p.m. – Move your body again—stand, stretch, or go outside
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5:00 p.m. – Hydrate and log off to mentally unplug from work
6. Minimize Distractions
Why it matters: Interruptions can derail your momentum and double the time it takes to complete tasks. Control your environment to protect your focus.
Checklist:
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Set “do not disturb” hours with anyone you live with
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Silence unnecessary phone and app notifications
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Use noise-cancelling headphones or calming background music
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Close unrelated browser tabs and desktop distractions during focus time
7. Stay Connected with Your Team
Why it matters: Working remotely doesn’t mean working alone. Communication keeps projects moving, boosts morale, and prevents misalignment.
Checklist:
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Attend scheduled video meetings consistently
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Use team tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams) to stay in sync
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Share updates, ask questions, and give status reports
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Join occasional virtual coffee chats or informal team huddles
At Accountingfly, we specialize in helping accountants find flexible, remote-first roles that allow them to do their best work from anywhere. Whether you’re currently job hunting or looking to improve your virtual work setup, these strategies will help you stay productive and motivated while working from home.
