It can be hard to find motivation if you work remotely. Watching Netflix on the couch all day can’t be prevented right? Wrong! There can be so many distractions around you while working from home, but if you build great momentum in the morning, it can carry you through the rest of your workday. If you want to jumpstart your remote workday and make a huge, positive impact on the rest of your day’s productivity, start out by doing one of these 10 things.

1. Fit in Fitness

One of the most energizing ways you can start your day is to fit in some fitness before work. Whether it’s a short walk or a trip to the gym, getting this physical activity in before work will help motivate you throughout the day and keep you feeling energetic.

2. Fuel Your Mind

Breakfast is important but, if you’re not eating brain food, you won’t jumpstart your workday in the most effective way profitable. Steer clear of simple carbohydrates found in bagels and donuts and reach for protein rich foods instead.

3. Get Dressed

If you have to start your workday with a virtual meeting, or even if you’re on phone calls all day, shower and get dressed! Putting on clean, presentable clothes and motivate your mind that it’s time to get things done. Even putting on shoes can put your mind in work mode!

4. Tackle Your Most Challenging Task

Get your most dreaded, most challenging task out of the way first thing in the morning! Everything left on your to do list after this will seem easier in comparison and finishing that task will help motivate you throughout the rest of the day.

5. Establish a Morning Ritual

One way to jumpstart your workday is to start everyone the exact same way. Play the same song when you sit at your desk or open your calendar first and then organize your workspace. If you start every day with the same touchstone activity your brain will slide more easily into work mode over time.

6. Scan Your Inbox

If you have to check your emails first thing in the morning on a workday, try to do a scan rather than a deep dive. Scan for urgent, important tasks and leave the rest for later in the day.

7. Time Block Your Day

If you want to jumpstart your productivity for the day, you should try time blocking your remote workday. Get an hourly planner or create an hourly spreadsheet and look at your to-do list. Create time blocks for each task and make sure to schedule regular breaks. This handy guide will keep you from meandering or spending too much time on one thing.

8. Work with Background Noise

Silence at the beginning of your workday may cause you to work slower and more sluggishly. If you want to jumpstart your remote workday you should put on some background noise. Whether it’s music, a noise machine (or a YouTube video with repetitive noises). Remote work can be lonely, so lighten the mood with some sound!

9. Motivate

Reading a motivational quote or listening to a motivational podcast or audiobook can be a great way to jumpstart your workday. Whatever you find motivational, put it to good use first thing every day and you’ll be much more productive.

10. Set up a Friendly Competition

One great way to jumpstart your workday is to set up a friendly competition with one of your coworkers. Compete to finish more things on your to-do list before the end of the day or compete to get certain tasks done faster. These friendly competitions give you someone to measure your productivity against since you’re not in the office!

Say goodbye to sluggish remote work mornings! These 10 methods will help you jumpstart every workday so you can be your most motivated, most productive self even if you are working from your couch! For more career advice, check out our blog!