How to Stay Organized While Working Remotely or in Office

Spoiler alert: Your sticky notes aren’t enough anymore. 

Let’s be honest—staying organized at work used to be simpler. You had a desk, a calendar, maybe a drawer full of pens and snacks. Now? You might be in a coffee shop on Monday, your living room on Tuesday, and the office by Thursday—trying to juggle emails, Zoom calls, Slack pings, and five tabs of to-do lists. Welcome to the hybrid hustle. 

But here’s the good news: with a few intentional systems (and some surprisingly small tweaks), you can reclaim your clarity, productivity, and sanity—whether you’re remote, in-office, or somewhere in between. 

Let’s break down how to stay organized without losing your mind. 

1. Create Your “Anchor” Work Zone (Wherever You Are) 

Whether you’re at home or in a shared office space, you need a physical setup that grounds you. 

At home: 

• Carve out a dedicated space—even if it’s just a corner of your bedroom. 

• Use visual cues: a lamp, a plant, or a standing desk to signal “work mode.” 

• Keep your essentials (notebooks, chargers, water bottle) within arm’s reach. 

In office: 

• Own your desk. Tidy it weekly. Have a system (e.g., inbox tray, notes folder, physical task list). 

• Use headphones as your “do not disturb” shield when you need to focus. 

The point? When you sit down at your workspace, your brain should go, Ah yes. Time to get stuff done. 

2. Your Calendar Is Sacred—Treat It That Way 

In this era of back-to-back Zooms and office drop-bys, if it’s not on your calendar, it doesn’t exist. 

• Block your focus time. Literally put “No Meetings” or “Deep Work” on your calendar. 

• Color code it. Meetings, solo work, personal tasks—give each its own vibe. 

• Sync your devices. Your phone, laptop, and tablet should all be reading from the same gospel (Google Calendar, Outlook—whatever works for you). 

Hot tip: Leave a 15-minute buffer between meetings whenever possible. You’re not a machine, and your brain needs transition time. 

3. Master the “Daily Reset” Ritual 

Every day—whether you’re shutting your laptop at home or leaving the office—take 10 minutes to reset. 

• Review your task list. 

• Check tomorrow’s calendar. 

• Close unused browser tabs (we see you with those 27 open). 

• Clear your physical space: trash old sticky notes, tidy up. 

Think of it like brushing your teeth but for your workflow. It keeps things clean and prevents chaos from building up. 

4. Choose a Task Management System—and Stick to It 

This is where most people stumble. They try everything—Trello, Notion, pen and paper, a weird bullet journal hybrid—and burn out. 

Pick one system. Make it yours. Then stick with it. 

Options that actually work: 

• Digital: Asana, ClickUp, Todoist, Notion, Google Tasks. 

• Analog: Bullet Journal, index cards, a trusty planner. 

The real key? 
Keep it updated and visible. If your to-do list lives in your head or gets buried under your inbox, it’s useless. 

5. Divide and Conquer with Themed Days or Time Blocks 

If your work feels like whack-a-mole, time blocking can be your secret weapon. 

• Themed days: Mondays = meetings. Tuesdays = content. Fridays = admin. 

• Time blocks: Mornings = deep work. Afternoons = calls and catch-up. 

Structure brings rhythm. And rhythm brings relief. 

6. Tame the Email + Slack Monster 

You’re not imagining it—Slack and email can eat your entire day if you let them. 

Try this: 

• Turn off notifications outside work hours. Your peace matters. 

• Schedule “email check-in” windows (e.g., 9am, 1pm, 4pm) instead of living in your inbox. 

• Mute unnecessary Slack channels. Seriously. MUTE. THEM. 

Bonus move: Create an “Action Items” label or pinned note for emails/messages you need to handle but can’t answer immediately. 

7. Don’t Multitask—Context Switch Consciously 

Multitasking is a lie. What we’re really doing is “rapid task switching,” and it’s a brain drain. 

Instead: 

• Batch tasks: Respond to messages in one go. Do all design reviews at once. 

• Work in sprints: Try 25 minutes of focused work (Pomodoro style), then a 5-minute break. 

• Turn off distractions: Shut notifications, close unrelated tabs, and focus on one thing. 

Be present with your task—and your brain will thank you. 

8. Use Visual Cues to Stay Grounded 

Remote workers especially need this. 

• Whiteboards or cork boards with weekly goals. 

• Kanban boards on your wall or screen. 

• Sticky notes (but limit yourself to 3 max on your monitor—no chaos zones). 

Humans are visual creatures. Seeing your goals and tasks in front of you = less stress, more clarity. 

9. Communicate Like a Pro (Even If You’re in Pajamas) 

Staying organized isn’t just about your system—it’s also about how you interact with your team. 

• Overcommunicate deadlines. 

• Set expectations clearly (especially across time zones). 

• Document everything. Assume someone will need to reference your work later. 

Golden rule: If you’re not sure someone got the memo—follow up. 

10. Remember You’re a Human, Not a Robot 

You’re allowed to have off days. You’re allowed to step away. And yes—your desk can have personality. 

• Add plants, photos, or a motivational quote. 

• Take breaks. Real ones. Away from screens. 

• Hydrate. Move. Laugh. 

Being organized isn’t about being rigid—it’s about setting yourself up for success, sustainably. 

Final Thoughts: Choose Systems That Fit You 

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to organization. Some people thrive with digital dashboards. Others just need a clean notebook and a good pen. 

The secret? Don’t chase perfection. Chase progress. 

Find a rhythm. Adjust when life shifts. Stay flexible, but intentional. Whether you’re dialing in from your kitchen table or sliding into your office chair at 9 a.m., you deserve a workflow that keeps your brain clear and your day flowing.