The Power of Routines for Remote Workers
If the idea of sticking to a routine sounds monotonous, boring, and the total opposite of an adventure-packed nomad life, it may be time to rethink your opinion.
Why? Because for the remote workers of the world, routines could actually be the key to improving not just the way you work, but your ability to manage stress, reduce overwhelm, and avoid burnout.
Read on to discover the game-changing power of the humble routine and how to create your very own life-enhancing rituals as a digital nomad.
Why Digital Nomads Need Routine
As a digital nomad, you’re constantly adapting to new environments, time zones, and workspaces.
While this lifestyle offers unparalleled freedom, the lack of consistency can make it difficult to maintain productivity, manage stress, and create work-life balance.
Routines offer several key benefits:
Create stability: Routines provide a sense of normalcy and structure, especially in unfamiliar places. A solid routine anchors your day, giving you something reliable to hold onto amidst the unpredictability of travel.
Enhance focus: By establishing set habits, your brain learns to associate certain actions with work, helping you switch into focus mode faster and more effectively.
Reduce decision fatigue: When your day is structured by routine, you spend less time deciding when to work, when to relax, or when to take breaks. This helps conserve mental energy for more important tasks.
For digital nomads and remote workers, routines are crucial to maintaining control over an otherwise chaotic schedule.
Boost focus and productivity with pre and post-work routines
Productivity can be a challenge for digital nomads. Without the structure of a traditional office, distractions and inefficiency can quickly creep in.
However, productivity routines can help you maintain focus and get more done in less time.
Get in the zone with a pre-work routine
In his bestselling book, Atomic Habits, author James Clear talks about the power of a “pre-game routine” – a set of simple actions that signal to your brain that it’s time to start working.
This set of actions doesn’t have to be complicated – for example, your pre-game routine could involve making a cup of coffee, clearing your desk, and playing a particular motivating song.
By engaging in the same series of actions every time you’re about to commence a work session, you condition yourself to switch into ‘work mode’ and adopt a productive mindset.
How to create a pre-work routine:
My personal pre-game routine:
Disconnect with a shutdown routine
We’ve talked about a pre-work routine, but what about a routine to signal it’s time to switch off from work for the day?
It might sound surprising, but a shutdown routine – pioneered by productivity expert Cal Newport – is exactly that, and it can work wonders for helping you disconnect from the workday.
Like a pre-game routine, a shutdown routine involves a series of actions that your brain learns to associate with switching out of ‘work mode’.
For example, you might review unfinished tasks, update tomorrow’s calendar, and do something to signify the end of the day, such as switching off the lights. (Cal Newport famously says the words ‘shutdown complete’ out loud, every time, to reinforce the action!).
Ideas for your shutdown routine:
Supercharge your digital nomad routines
1. Create a “Nomad Ritual Kit”
Instead of just packing individual items like your yoga mat or noise-cancelling headphones, curate a customised “Nomad Ritual Kit” – a small bag with everything you need to set up your workspace or perform a routine anywhere you go.
Think of it as a portable office or wellness sanctuary.
What to include:
- A lightweight scarf or fabric to spread out over any workspace, giving you a consistent, comfortable work surface no matter where you are.
- A mini essential oil roller for a familiar scent, instantly making any environment feel like home. Citrus for focus, peppermint for a midday boost, and lavender for relaxation.
- A portable laptop stand that can be stacked on any surface for an instant ergonomic desk setup.
- A tiny, battery-powered lamp or travel-sized candle for ambience (bonus tip: use it to set a visual anchor for your meditation or shutdown routines).
2. Anchor your routines to local cues
Adapt your routine to each new environment by using local environmental cues to kickstart your rituals.
For example, in a beach town, you could begin your workday after a quick morning swim. In a city, start your focus routine after grabbing a coffee from a local café.
These micro-experiences trigger the start of your routine and give you a reason to explore your surroundings.
How to do it:
Find a landmark or local feature near your accommodation and make it part of your daily routine. For example, take a walk past the same street vendor every day before starting work.
Use the sounds of the new location – whether it’s ocean waves, city traffic, or local birds – as auditory cues to get into your routine mindset.
3. Use the 5 senses rule to trigger routines
Most routines rely heavily on sight or hearing, but why not engage all five senses to immerse yourself in your routine, even in unfamiliar environments?
By integrating taste, smell, and touch, you can create a multi-sensory experience that makes routines feel natural and enjoyable, wherever you are.
How to do it:
Taste: Sip a specific type of tea, coffee, or flavoured water when you start your work block. The taste becomes a powerful cue to get into work mode.
Smell: Use a portable diffuser with essential oils or a travel-sized candle. Certain smells can instantly trigger focus or relaxation modes based on your routine.
Touch: Carry a familiar textured object, like a small stress ball or piece of fabric, and incorporate it into your work breaks for a grounding sensory experience.
4. Gamify your routine with local missions
Turn maintaining your routine into a game by giving yourself “missions” in each new location. This approach keeps routines fun, engaging, and adapted to your nomadic lifestyle.
How to do it:
Morning missions: In each new location, challenge yourself to complete a certain morning activity that’s unique to that place – like finding the best local breakfast spot or walking a new route to watch the sunrise.
Workday goals: Set mini goals, like completing a project before visiting a famous local site. This way, your routine becomes a motivating tool for both productivity and exploration.
Rewards system: Assign small rewards for sticking to your routines for a week, like trying out a new restaurant or visiting a local attraction, turning discipline into a game.
5. Sync routines to your circadian rhythm
Instead of sticking to rigid time blocks, align your routine with your body’s natural energy peaks and lows, adjusting it based on the current time zone.
Tools like the app TimeShifter, designed for jet lag, can help you keep your routine in sync with your circadian rhythm, regardless of location.
How to do it:
Adjust your routine based on whether you’re a morning person or night owl. If you’re more productive later in the day, move your deep work sessions to the afternoon or evening, and use mornings for lighter tasks.
Use light exposure to your advantage – work near windows during the day to stay alert, and dim the lights in the evening to prepare for sleep, aligning your routine with the natural daylight cycle of your current location.
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