5 Free Tools That Help Me Stay Productive While Working Remotely

Written By Stack Flow

Working remotely doesn’t have to mean expensive software or complicated systems. Some of the most effective tools I use daily are 100% free. These tools help me stay on track, manage my time, and stay focused no matter where I’m working.

1. Notion

My all-in-one workspace. I use Notion to manage tasks, brainstorm blog content, organize my calendar, and even draft my writing. Its flexibility makes it perfect for remote workers juggling multiple roles or ideas.

Bonus tip: Create a dashboard that includes a to-do list, daily journal, and content planner in one view.

2. Clockify

Time-tracking has helped me understand where my focus actually goes. I use Clockify to track deep work sessions, monitor time spent on content creation, and review my weekly productivity.

Why I love it: It's completely free, and it even breaks down your time by task and project.

3. Pomofocus

This minimal Pomodoro timer helps me break my day into focused sprints. I usually set it for 50 minutes of work followed by a 10-minute break.

How I use it: I’ll do two Pomofocus rounds before switching tasks — it keeps me from drifting off when I’m working alone.

4. Grammarly (Free Version)

Whether I’m writing emails, blog posts, or Instagram captions, Grammarly keeps things clean and readable. The free version is plenty if you’re looking for basic clarity and tone improvements.

Use case: I run everything through Grammarly before posting or sending.

5. Momentum (Chrome Extension)

Every new tab becomes a calming dashboard. It shows a daily quote, a single priority task, and a serene photo — a small touch, but it helps me pause before diving into distractions.

Pro tip: Set your focus of the day each morning to keep your intention front and center.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need fancy software to be productive — just the right systems and habits. These tools help me get more done without spending a dime. If you want to go a step further, check out my Remote Work Toolkit for the physical gear I use every day.

Stay focused. Work smarter.

— Stack & Flow

My Ideal Remote Work Morning Routine (and What I Actually Stick To)

A strong morning routine sets the tone for the rest of the day — in theory. Here's what my ideal remote work morning looks like... and what usually happens instead.

The Ideal Routine

  • Wake up without checking my phone

  • Light movement or stretch

  • Make coffee and spend 10 minutes journaling

  • Clean up my workspace

  • Dive into my most important task of the day (deep work block)

It’s everything a remote productivity expert would recommend. And sometimes, I actually do it.

The Real Routine (Most Days)

  • Wake up and scroll for 10 minutes (oops)

  • Make coffee, forget to drink half of it

  • Toss clutter off my desk

  • Plug in headphones, open my laptop

  • Jump into whichever tab was open from yesterday

Not perfect — but it works more often than not.

What Keeps Me Grounded

Even when the ideal slips away, a few small actions keep my focus on track:

  • Setting up my space first — Even on the go, I unpack my mouse, headphones, and laptop stand before I open anything.

  • Ambient music or noise — A signal that it’s time to dial in.

  • Choosing just one priority — One thing I need to move forward that day.

What I Use

Everything I rely on to support my morning rhythm — from headphones to stand to timer — is linked in my Remote Work Toolkit. These tools don’t just make work easier. They make starting easier.

Start slow. Stay steady. Build momentum.

— Stack & Flow

3 Mistakes I Made Working Remotely (So You Don’t Have To)

Working from anywhere sounds like a dream — until it turns into scattered days and slow progress. Here are three remote work mistakes I made early on, and how I turned them around.

Mistake #1: Not Having a Real Setup

In the beginning, I worked from the couch, the bed, and even the floor. It was casual... until I realized my back hurt, my productivity tanked, and my work-life lines blurred.

Fix: I created a simple, portable setup: a laptop stand, wireless mouse, and noise-canceling headphones. Now I can recreate a focused workspace anywhere.

➡️ Linked in my Remote Work Toolkit: Sennheiser headphones, Logitech mouse, Nexstand.

Mistake #2: Treating the Day Like One Long Block

I used to sit down and grind for hours without breaks — thinking it would help me finish faster. Spoiler: it didn’t. I got tired, distracted, and my creativity dropped.

Fix: I switched to short, focused work sprints (like 50 minutes on, 10 off). I use a simple timer app or even just my phone.

Tip: This structure actually helped me do more in less time — without burnout.

Mistake #3: Letting Distractions Live on My Desk

My phone was always nearby. I kept tabs open I didn’t need. And every ping pulled my attention.

Fix: Now I put my phone out of reach, turn off desktop notifications, and use ambient noise to stay focused. It’s a small shift with big results.

➡️ My go-to: headphones + ambient music = tunnel vision.

What I Learned

Remote work isn’t just about where you work — it’s how you work. You don’t need to overhaul your life. You just need the right habits, space, and tools.

If you're looking for a simple, effective setup to get focused fast — check out my Toolkit.

— Stack & Flow

Stack Flow
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My Ideal Remote Work Morning Routine (and What I Actually Stick To)