When people find out you work from home, they probably turn into a bit of a skeptic. Many imagine a day at the home Office as a person sitting in their PJs, eating snacks and watching TV.

Of course, as a remote worker, you know this isn’t the case. And in fact, science has your back. Early research has shown work-from-homers are often more productive than their in-office counterparts.

However, you must overcome some unique hurdles when you work remotely. If you don’t, they could hinder your Productivity. Here are eight ways you can boost your productivity when you’re in your home office.

1. Designate a Workspace

First and foremost, you have to have a home office. Whether you set aside an entire room or just create a workspace in your bedroom, having a separate area where you go to get things done is critical. You’ll be able to slip into focus mode much more easily when you enter your workspace and leave household distractions like the TV and fridge behind.

2. Keep Your Normal Morning Routine

If you are one of the remote workers who stay in your PJs all day, it’s time to break that habit. Get up in the morning, brush your teeth, take a shower and get dressed. Again, the act of getting dressed is a habit that will get you into the right mentality to work. If you stay in your PJs all day, you’re more likely to feel like it’s time for a nap.

3. Set Small Goals

You have an itinerary when you’re in the office, so why not at home? Plan your day, including breaks, to provide the same structure as a conventional office. That will help you stay on task when it’s work time and give you the freedom to step away from your computer during a designated break, just as you would in any traditional workspace.

4. Use an App

If you still need some help getting organized, there’s an app for that — or, rather, several apps for that! If you collaborate with other team members, use tools to track projects and keep an eye on to-do lists. If you want to be able to chat with fellow teammates and clients, ProofHub has the solution for easy collaboration. If you’re constantly sharing files, Dropbox can help. These are just a handful of apps perfect for remote workers.

5. Get the Household on Board

Whether you live with your significant other, your family or roommates, set boundaries for in-office hours. Make sure they know your work schedule and which area of the home you have designated as your office. This way, they’ll know when you’re occupied and where to steer clear of. Use headphones to keep distractions at bay if other folks are home during the day.

6. Put Away the Phone

Whether you work in a traditional office or work out of your home office, there’s one time-waster everyone must contend with: the smartphone. In both settings, phones pull you away from the present and the task at hand. And it’s easy to get swallowed up by the endless onslaught of information you’ll find online. So make sure your phone is only available to you during breaks, and keep it stowed in a drawer or another room the rest of the time.

7. Keep Lines of Communication Open

Now that you know a few of the apps that help virtual communication, use them! Whether you enlist Slack for chatting or stick with something simple like GChat, it’s essential to have the lines of communication open all day. Also, make sure you have a phone number where people can always reach you during the day. Given the distractions of your personal cell phone, it’s a good idea to have a designated work phone — whether it’s a landline or a mobile.

8. Be Flexible

This might seem counterintuitive, given the previous tips, but flexibility is a positive when it comes to productivity, both in and out of the office. Allow yourself the creative space to think outside the box and take advantage of your unconventional work situation. Maybe you find your focus sharpens even more when you work from the library or the coffee shop. Don’t be afraid to shake up your routine and go there a few times a week. Better yet, invite some of your co-workers to join you in your unconventional space!

There are so many perks to working from home, it’s no wonder this practice is on the rise. By staying productive and professional, you’re proving to your superiors that the work-from-home model is a good idea. Keep up the hard work, and you’ll continue to enjoy the privileges only remote employees can — like a zero-minute commute.

8 Ways to Ramp up Your Productivity When You Work From Home was originally published in ProofHub Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.