If I don’t stick to my work routine like glue, I don’t have a chance of actually getting my work done. There’s just something about my routine that keeps me focused enough to actually get a ton of work done, no matter what that work looks like. The alternative seems to include aimlessly staring out of windows, emailing friends and generally being entirely un-productive. But every time I find myself in a new space, I run the risk of throwing off my routine — every time I change time zones, I’m contending with more than jet lag. I’ve found that there are certain ways I can keep myself focused on my work routine, however:

1. Focus on placement and posture: Laying down with my laptop is a straight shot away from productivity for me. If I want to work, I need to be sitting upright, preferably with the computer on a desk in front of me. Balancing a laptop on my knees invites all sorts of painful postures, and pain tends to be a distraction for me.
2. Start early in the morning: I used to be one of those people who would goof around most of the day, until finally working for hours and heading to bed around 4 a.m. But that approach doesn’t work when you change time zones or even if you have something you actually want to do in the day. So, the first thing I do each day is my work — as soon as I have it finished, I can go out and play.
3. Schedule interactions: I have more than a few phone calls or online meetings in the course of a week, and I take care to schedule them after my actual work time. A simple phone call can throw me out of my work groove, so I eliminate the chance of such a thing happening.
4. Turn off distractions: Turn off your instant messengers, Twitter — even your phone if necessary. Schedule all of those interactions (see above) for a time when you aren’t trying to get through a pile of work.
5. Go through your routine even when jet-lagged: If you’re anything like me, a nap is typically first on the schedule when you arrive in a new location. That’s okay, as long as you jump into your routine as soon as you get up. It’s ideal if you can sync your routine to the local morning — but try to avoid breaking the connection between waking up and getting to work.
6. Plan your day ahead of time: Your routine may not be entirely routine. You may have different projects for every day of the week, so be specific on what you need to accomplish each morning.
7. Stick with it: Building any new habit requires at least 30 days of practice, so just see if you can stick with your routine that long. When the month mark rolls around, you’ll have forgotten that you were ever lacking a routine.

Photo — DeclanTM