If you’ve found yourself toggling between your inbox, your kid’s lunch, and that niggling feeling that you should be doing more - you’re not alone. Remote and hybrid work is no longer new, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Quite often, the more “normal” it becomes, the more pressure many of us feel to have it all figured out by now.
But here's the truth: working from home isn’t about doing more in less time. It’s about doing what matters in a way that works for you and the people who count on you, both at work and home.
Let’s walk through some practical advice I share with clients every week; the kind of advice I wish I’d had back when I was heading straight for burnout.
What’s Working in 2025 (And What’s Not)
Most of us are no longer full-time remote, but we’re not fully office-based either. The sweet spot for many professionals today is hybrid working: 2–3 days in the office, the rest at home.
Some companies are turning up the heat on office time again. However, most organisations, especially those that trust their people, still support some form of flexibility.
That means there’s still a lot of grey area. And in that grey area, we each need to find a way to work that supports both our performance and our wellbeing.
Five Ways to Get the Best Out of Remote and Hybrid Work
1. Find the value in your remote days
Your work-from-home days are the opportunity to realise the benefits of remote work. Think about what kind of work you do best at home. Maybe it's focused project work, writing, or just having the space to think without constant interruptions. Then, protect that time like it matters (because it does).
You could try blocking out focus time in your calendar and labelling it with your actual task. “Finish Q2 client report” is far better than the generic “Busy”.
The same applies to home or personal tasks that you can prioritise on remote days. Decide what you would like to do at the start of the week and then schedule it on your calendar (or stick it on the fridge!)
2. Make Your Workspace Actually Support You
You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy home office, but you do need a space that can support you through a full working day—mentally, physically, and practically. Even a corner of the kitchen, when thoughtfully set up, can make a big difference.
But here’s something worth considering: humans are great at adjusting to their surroundings. We put up with small discomforts, like a dodgy chair, poor lighting, or constant noise, because we get used to them. We stop noticing how much they drain us.
Over time, that “it’s fine” attitude can become a barrier to productivity and well-being. You might find yourself more tired, more distracted, or just less motivated; and not realise your environment is partly to blame.
So instead of waiting until something breaks or becomes unbearable, make it a habit to review your home working setup twice a year. A quick check-in every 6 months can help you catch what’s no longer working and take small steps to improve it.
Here’s what to ask yourself:
- Am I comfortable? Check your chair, lighting, desk height, and screen setup. Any small tweaks that would make a big difference?
- Do I feel mentally ‘at work’ in this space? Or do I keep drifting into home-mode (or worse, doom-scrolling)?
- Is this setup helping or hindering my energy levels? Think: fresh air, clutter, hydration, access to breaks.
- What’s missing? Maybe it’s a whiteboard, a better headset, or a small lamp for winter mornings.
We adapt quickly, but we don’t always adapt well. So treat your workspace review like a seasonal reset. You don’t need to start from scratch. Just ask: What needs to be updated so I can do good work and feel good doing it.
3. Build Confidence to Work Well Anywhere
One of the newer challenges I’m seeing with hybrid working is that people have become too fixed in what they think can be done at home versus in the office. While it’s great to have routines, that rigidity can backfire - especially when plans change, locations shift, or you’re suddenly dialling in from somewhere unexpected.
Yes, certain tasks may feel easier in one space than another. But you don’t need to be in your “ideal environment” to do meaningful work.
Instead of relying on location-based habits, try building agility into your week. Learn what you need—mentally, physically, or technically—to get things done anywhere. That might mean:
- Creating a short “setup checklist” you can use wherever you’re working from
- Carrying noise-cancelling headphones
- Mentally prepping to shift tasks when your day doesn’t go to plan
This month, intentionally switch things up once a week. Try doing a creative task in the office or a collaborative one from home. The real goal isn’t just to work well at home or in the office. It’s to build the confidence that you can work well anywhere.
4. Rebuild Connection (Without More Calls or Emojis)
One of the biggest frustrations I hear right now is that people are tired of only communicating through MS Teams, Slack, or email. The constant pings, back-to-back video calls, and carefully worded messages can make the whole experience feel a bit flat.
And while many of us miss the casual connection of office life, the reality is that hybrid is here to stay. Most of us won’t see our colleagues every day - or even every week.
But here’s the good news: you can still create a real sense of human connection. It just takes a bit of intention, both online and in person.
Bring a personal touch to remote communication
- Change things up a bit. Not every communication has to be written. Sending a quick voice message, making an impromptu call, or chatting while on a walk can feel much more personal.
- Greet others with sincerity. Instead of diving right into tasks, take a moment for a genuine check-in. A few seconds of kindness can set a positive tone for the entire day.
- Make casual interactions purposeful: Schedule a coffee chat, organise a relaxed team call without a strict agenda, or simply reach out to a coworker and ask, “How’s your day going?”
- Be present when it matters. You don’t have to keep your camera on all day, but showing your face at the beginning of a meeting can help people feel valued, not just required.
And when you are in the office:
- Use those days to connect. Don’t waste them holed up on solo tasks. Plan meet-ups, grab lunch with a colleague, or join a team social. These in-person touchpoints can sustain connection across the gaps in between.
Connection won’t happen by default when working in a hybrid environment. But with small shifts and thoughtful planning, it absolutely can.
5. Protect your energy, not just your time
You can sit at your desk all day and still feel like you’ve done nothing. Why? Because your energy, not your time, is your most precious resource.
- Know when you’re naturally at your best (morning, afternoon, evening?) and plan your work around it.
- Schedule breaks like they matter—because they do.
- Choose an “end of day” ritual to mark the finish line (shut the laptop, go for a walk, even change your clothes).
Remember, being productive is not the same as being busy. Write down the 2–3 outcomes you want from each day, and let that be enough.
Getting The Foundation Right
Are you new to remote working or need to revisit the foundations? Our earlier post, “How to Work from Home: 9 Ways to Set Your Day Up for Success”, offers simple, tried-and-tested tips to help you build strong daily habits that still hold up today.
A Better Workday From Home or Hybrid
Whether you’re juggling a demanding workload and wondering how to fit it all in, or building something new while raising a family, remote and hybrid work can absolutely support a better workday. But it takes intention.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. Give yourself permission to build a version of work that supports your life, not the other way around.
What’s one small change you could make to your location, routine or mindset this week that would help you feel more in control of your time and energy?
