INDEX

A note about the index: The pages referenced in this index refer to the page numbers in the print edition. Clicking on a page number will take you to the ebook location that corresponds to the beginning of that page in the print edition. For a comprehensive list of locations of any word or phrase, use your reading system’s search function.

• Accounting firm, 243
• Accounting software, 35
• Advisors, 41, 243. See also Coaches
• Alarm clock, 46, 135, 215, 221
• Alone time, 217
• Anxiety, reducing, 55, 67, 240

• Balance, maintaining, 214–47. See also Work-life balance
• Billing tips, 240, 243
• Blue light, 64, 223
• Body language, 75–76, 96, 147, 151, 170, 186
• Bookshelves, 12–13
• “Brain dump,” 55
• Brainstorming sessions, 40, 66, 73, 162, 165, 168, 193
• Breaks
  • apps for, 51, 141
  • limiting, 141
  • Pomodoro Technique, 51
  • from routines, 68
  • from schedule, 49–51, 68, 238, 240–41
  • vacations, 71, 89, 183, 185, 193, 204, 224–28, 240, 242
• Budgets, 193
• Buffer days, 227
• Buffer time, 60, 135, 241
• Bulletin boards, 39, 72
• Burnout, 83, 151, 204, 215, 229
• Busywork, handling, 245

• Career check-ins, 70
• Career conversations, 191
• Career ladders, 210
• Carpal tunnel, 23
• Celebrations, 110, 203, 238
• Chats, 52, 75–77, 80–85, 89–112. See also Communication hacks
• Childcare, 134, 137. See also Kids
• Clock, alarm, 46, 135, 215, 221
• Clock, internal, 10, 223
• Clocking in, 58
• Clocking out, 15, 17, 215, 232, 235
• Clothing, 61–63, 65
• Clutter, eliminating, 15, 72
• Coaches, hiring, 93, 94. See also Mentors
• Communication hacks. See also Video calls
  • activity logs, 90
  • apps for, 87, 126, 127, 128, 230
  • asking questions, 75, 80, 100
  • chats, 52, 75–77, 80–85, 89–112
  • clarifying intents, 75–76, 82, 205
  • conference calls, 163–64, 176, 198
  • contact lists, 89, 101, 153, 198, 210
  • email tips, 52, 75–112
  • emojis, 96, 98, 107–8, 167, 189
  • facial expressions, 75–76, 96, 147, 151, 170, 186
  • new habits for, 74–112
  • polls/surveys, 104, 150
  • private messages, 83, 129
  • response times, 77–84, 89, 97, 107
  • templates, 78, 79, 243
  • translation features, 103
  • transparency, 81–82, 88, 184, 207, 212
  • virtual conferences, 147–48, 155, 164, 198
  • visibility goals, 84–86, 98, 157, 160, 184, 198
  • writing skills, 91–94, 126, 128, 197
• Commuter pants, 63
• “Commuting” tips, 14, 44, 50, 63, 215, 233
• Company blog, reading, 72
• Computer
  • backing up files on, 72, 95
  • cables/cords for, 27, 29, 39
  • decluttering, 72
  • ergonomic tips for, 19–23
  • headset for, 29, 199
  • keyboard for, 21
  • monitors for, 19, 25–27, 37, 40, 105, 130, 147
  • mouse for, 23
  • naming files on, 93, 104, 129, 206, 226
  • organizing files on, 72, 95, 206, 245
  • powering down, 60, 215
  • power strip for, 10, 29, 34
  • printers and, 32
  • programs for, 35
  • router for, 38–39, 155
  • saving files on, 95, 156, 168
  • surge protector for, 10, 29, 34
  • templates, 78, 79, 243
  • webcam for, 27–28, 30–35, 40, 88, 144, 172
  • Wi-Fi connection for, 34, 36, 38–39, 120–21, 154–55
  • work computer, 35, 123, 130, 231
• Conferences
  • attending, 71
  • calls, 163–64, 176, 198
  • conference rooms, 40, 148
  • length of, 164
  • scheduling, 71
  • virtual conferences, 147–48, 155, 198
• Confidential information, 33, 81, 146, 159
• Contracts, 242, 245
• Core values, 187, 189
• Core work hours, 48–49, 97, 114–15, 204, 208. See also Work hours
• Coworking spaces, 40–42, 66, 121. See also Workspace

• Daily goals, 139, 142, 242
• Daily themes, 50, 109, 124
• Deadlines, setting, 49, 87, 96, 99, 132, 241–42
• “Deep work” sessions, 66, 68, 88, 117, 120, 130, 142
• Delegation tips, 192, 201
• Demos, providing, 175, 205
• Desks
  • ergonomic tips for, 19–23
  • floating desk, 11–12
  • for small spaces, 9–13
  • standing desks, 18–20, 26
• Digital detox, 72
• Distractions
  • apps for, 139–42, 145
  • kids and, 17, 131, 133–38, 145, 175, 212
  • in meetings, 145–48
  • mind-wandering tips, 121, 128
  • overcoming, 88, 113–42, 145, 220
  • reducing, 9–10, 14, 17, 139–47, 175, 207, 212
  • tracking, 121
• Dress codes, 61. See also Clothing

• Emails, 52, 75–112. See also Communication hacks
• Employees
  • departure of, 190, 191
  • handbooks for, 78, 79, 97
  • hiring, 195–201
  • interviewing, 195–98
  • managing, 180–213
  • meetings with, 143–79
  • new hires, 81, 97, 108, 199–203
  • perks for, 213
  • promotion of, 70, 191, 210, 215
• Energy
  • boosting, 10, 49, 51, 54, 58, 67–68, 132, 230–32
  • exercise and, 49, 51, 67, 132, 230–32
  • fatigue and, 19, 20, 25, 49, 151
  • high-energy periods, 52, 60
  • low-energy periods, 52, 58, 96, 185
  • mental energy, 44, 57, 138
  • naps for, 58, 68
  • stress and, 10, 67, 185
• Exercise
  • energy and, 49, 51, 67, 132, 230–32
  • fitness routine, 67, 230
  • scheduling, 58, 67, 230–32
  • walks, 44, 63–64, 132, 232, 234, 237, 239
  • workouts, 67, 230–32
  • yoga, 58, 67, 213

• Facial expressions, 75–76, 96, 147, 151, 170, 186
• Family
  • childcare and, 134, 137
  • distractions and, 17, 115–19, 122, 131, 133–38, 145, 175, 212
  • expectations of, 69, 115–19, 122
  • kids, 17, 48, 131, 133–38, 145, 175, 212, 237–38
  • meetings with, 118
  • pictures of, 238
  • work-life balance and, 115–19, 133–38, 214–47
• Fatigue, preventing, 19, 20, 25, 49, 151. See also Energy
• Files/folders
  • backing up, 72, 95
  • on computer, 72, 93, 95, 104, 129, 156, 168, 206, 226, 245
  • naming, 93, 104, 129, 206, 226
  • organizing, 15–17, 72, 95, 206, 245
  • for papers, 15–17
  • saving, 95, 156, 168
• Filing cabinet, 16–17
• Financial information, 33, 41, 193, 210, 243
• Fitness routine, 67, 230. See also Exercise
• Food choices, 33, 125, 229
• Friends, calling, 66, 131, 216, 232
• Friends, expectations, 115–16, 131

• Goals
  • committing to, 142, 156, 216, 236, 237
  • daily goals, 139, 142, 242
  • defining, 142, 240
  • group goal, 237
  • monthly goals, 242
  • productivity goals, 131
  • road map for, 242
  • setting, 142, 206, 240
  • sharing, 200–201, 205–6, 210–11
  • SMART goals, 216
  • visibility goals, 84–86, 98, 157, 160, 184, 198
  • weekly goals, 242
  • for work-life balance, 216, 236, 242

• Handbooks, 78, 79, 97
• Headsets, 29, 199
• Healthy choices, 33, 125, 229, 240
• Hobbies, 217, 223, 228, 232–33, 237, 240
• Home office
  • bulletin board for, 39
  • changing location of, 36–37, 41–42, 66, 121
  • choosing area for, 9–13
  • cleaning, 15, 114
  • clothes for, 61–63, 65
  • “commuting” to, 14, 44, 50, 63, 215, 233
  • costs for, 13, 18–24, 28, 38–40, 144
  • coworking spaces, 40–42, 66, 121
  • decluttering, 15
  • designating, 9–13
  • desks for, 10, 18–20, 22, 26
  • distractions and, 9–10, 14, 17, 113–42, 145–47, 175, 207, 212
  • furnishing, 11–40
  • “junk drawer” for, 15
  • kids and, 17, 131, 133–38, 145, 175, 212, 237
  • lighting for, 10, 24–25, 38, 46, 55, 117, 144
  • moving outdoors, 36–37
  • in multiple spaces, 120
  • natural light for, 10, 24, 46, 55, 144
  • noises and, 10, 29, 122, 126, 131, 139–40, 145–46, 164–66
  • “office shed,” 14
  • organizing, 15–17, 27, 245
  • pets and, 138, 212
  • pictures in, 30, 39, 209, 238
  • power strip for, 10, 29, 34
  • quiet space for, 9–10, 120
  • rotating spaces, 120
  • separating, 9–14, 19
  • setting up, 8–42
  • shared spaces, 119
  • small spaces for, 9–13
  • smart lights for, 24, 38, 117
  • studio space, 9, 14
  • surge protector for, 10, 29, 34
  • tax deductions for, 41
  • tidying, 15, 59
  • transitioning to, 14, 44, 199–203, 212
  • whiteboard for, 40, 114, 120, 168
  • white noise for, 126
• Hourly rate, determining, 240–41, 243–44

• Income, 241–44
• Industry websites, reading, 72
• Interruptions, curbing, 10, 88, 114–19, 122, 126, 133, 136, 220. See also Distractions

• Job descriptions, 192, 196
• Job hunting, 246
• “Joint working” sessions, 88

• Kids
  • childcare for, 134, 137
  • entertaining, 136, 137
  • flex schedule with, 48
  • home office and, 17, 131, 133–38, 145, 175, 212, 237
  • pictures of, 238
  • talent show for, 237

• Lighting, 10, 24–25, 38, 46, 55, 117
• Light rings, 28, 144

• Management
  • apps for, 58, 87, 121, 184, 220, 221
  • delegation and, 192, 201
  • outsourcing and, 125, 243, 245
  • Pomodoro Technique, 51
  • remote management, 180–213
  • system for, 150, 201
  • of team, 180–213
  • time management, 49, 51, 58, 69, 121, 221
• Meditation, 56, 69, 128
• Meetings
  • alternatives for, 150
  • analyzing, 149
  • apps for, 169, 171, 172, 230
  • brainstorming sessions, 165
  • breakout sessions, 165, 212
  • canceling, 152
  • checklists for, 151
  • discussion tag for, 165
  • distractions in, 145–48
  • dry runs for, 153
  • facial expressions during, 147, 151, 170
  • family meetings, 118
  • hacks for, 143–79
  • large meetings, 166
  • leaders for, 158
  • length of, 156, 158, 162, 164
  • lists for, 161
  • locking, 177
  • muting, 166
  • policy for, 157
  • presentations for, 175
  • prioritizing, 181
  • recapping, 172
  • recordings of, 156, 159–61, 174
  • remote meetings, 143–79
  • rescheduling, 152
  • rewatching, 159–61
  • scheduling, 44, 73, 87, 148–49, 152
  • space for, 73
  • stressing points of, 178, 179
  • summarizing, 178
  • takeaways from, 176
  • taking turns speaking, 158, 159, 165, 167, 168
  • with team, 143–79
  • tech issues, 153–55
  • time estimates for, 156, 162–64
  • time for, 169, 171, 179
  • timekeeper for, 158
  • time zones and, 167, 169
  • transcription of, 160
• Mental “brain dump,” 55
• Mental energy, 44, 57, 138. See also Energy
• Mental health, 50, 128, 185, 229, 235
• Mental warm-up, 56
• Mentors, calling, 66
• Mentors, hiring, 92, 93, 200
• Misunderstandings, 75–76
• Morale, boosting, 109, 186, 188, 190, 203, 208, 227
• Multitasking, 56, 122, 230, 233
• Music, 88, 122, 124, 131, 139, 145, 233

• Naps, 58, 68. See also Sleep
• Natural light, 10, 24, 46, 55, 144
• Nature, enjoying, 36–37, 41, 64, 234
• Noise, avoiding, 9–10, 145. See also Distractions
• Notepads, digital, 145, 203
• Notepads, physical, 32, 145

• Office hours
  • apps for, 219, 223
  • consistency with, 45, 55
  • conveying to clients, 243
  • core work hours, 48–49, 97, 114–15, 204, 208
  • hourly rates, 240–41, 243–44
  • long workdays, 216, 235
  • starting/stopping, 219
• “Office shed,” 14. See also Home office
• Office visits, scheduling, 70, 73
• Organization tips
  • for computer, 27, 72, 95, 206, 245
  • for home office, 15–17, 27, 245
  • for meetings, 152, 178
  • for priorities, 215
  • for to-do lists, 215
  • for work-life balance, 215, 242, 245
• Outdoors, enjoying, 36–37, 41, 64, 234
• Outsourcing, 125, 243, 245

• Papers, filing, 15–17
• Performance issues, 186–88
• Performance reviews, 49, 188, 191, 194
• Pets, in workspace, 138, 212
• Pets, pictures of, 238
• Pets, time with, 234
• Pictures, 30, 39, 209, 238
• Polls, 104, 150
• Pomodoro Technique, 51
• Presentations
  • demos, 175, 205
  • length of, 156, 162
  • preparations for, 28, 32, 50, 161, 166, 175, 212
  • prerecording, 175
  • scheduling, 50, 66, 136, 156, 162
  • technical issues with, 154
  • writing, 91–94
• Priorities, setting, 65, 118, 135, 181, 206, 215
• Projects, mapping, 49, 170, 200, 242

• Quiet space, 9–10, 120

• Remote management, 180–213. See also Management
• Remote meetings, 143–79. See also Meetings
• Retreats, 49, 104, 105, 193
• Routines
  • bedtime routines, 60, 68, 221, 222, 223
  • breaks from, 68
  • checking in, 58
  • cleaning routine, 114
  • establishing, 43–73
  • evening routines, 54, 56–57, 59–60, 68, 221–23
  • fitness routine, 67, 230
  • flexibility with, 48–49, 68–71
  • log of, 57–59
  • log-on/log-off routines, 44, 59, 61
  • meditation routine, 56
  • mental warm-up, 56
  • morning routines, 44–47, 49, 57–61, 69, 71
  • nighttime routines, 221, 222, 223
  • rewards for, 69
  • sunlight and, 55, 64
  • travel and, 71
  • varying, 53–57, 66, 71

• Schedules. See also Routines; Work hours
  • apps for, 117, 223
  • breaks from, 49–51, 68, 238, 240–41
  • buffer time for, 53
  • chats and, 52
  • for coming weeks, 67
  • for conferences, 71
  • consistent schedules, 45, 55
  • coordinating, 119–20
  • creating, 43–73
  • daily themes, 50, 109, 124
  • “eat the frog” tasks, 52
  • emails and, 52
  • establishing, 44–50
  • for exercise, 58, 67, 230–32
  • flexibility with, 48–49, 68–71, 83, 87, 133–38, 204, 246
  • for hardest tasks, 52
  • household schedules, 56
  • last-minute changes in, 53
  • log for, 57–59
  • low-energy periods, 58
  • for meetings, 44, 73, 87, 148–49, 152
  • for office visits, 70, 73
  • for presentations, 50, 66, 136, 156, 162
  • rechecking, 148
  • setting priorities, 65, 118, 135, 181, 206, 215
  • sticking to, 45–50
  • time batching, 69
  • time blocking, 49, 136
  • time boxing, 49, 69
  • varying routines for, 53–57, 66, 71
• Screen time, 37, 51, 64, 136, 220–23
• Sensitive information, 33, 81, 92, 112, 146, 159
• Shelves, 12–13
• Shredders, 33
• Sick time, taking, 239
• Sleep
  • awakening from, 45–47, 54, 135, 221
  • bedtime routines, 60, 68, 223
  • naps, 58, 68
  • phases of, 47
  • tracking, 47
• Small workspaces, 9–13. See also Workspace
• SMART goals, 216
• Smart lights, 24, 38, 117
• Storage space, 12–13, 15
• Stress
  • burnout, 83, 151, 204, 215, 229
  • clutter and, 15
  • energy and, 10, 67, 185
  • handling, 67, 80, 185, 241
  • natural light for, 10
  • reducing, 55, 67, 240, 241
  • vacations and, 227
• Stretches, 49, 51
• Studio space, 9, 14, 232
• Summer Fridays, 227
• Sunlight, 55, 64
• Surge protectors, 10, 29, 34
• Surveys, 104, 150

• Talent show, hosting, 237
• Taxes
  • accountant for, 243
  • advisor for, 41, 243
  • financial information, 41, 210, 243
  • help with, 243
  • tax deductions, 41
• Team, managing, 180–213. See also Employees; Management
• Team, meetings with, 143–79. See also Employees; Meetings
• Technology issues, 153–55
• Templates, creating, 78, 79, 243
• Tenosynovitis, 23
• Time alone, 217
• Time batching, 69
• Time blocking, 49, 136
• Time boxing, 49, 69
• Time-management methods
  • apps for, 58, 121, 221
  • Pomodoro Technique, 51
  • time-boxing, 49, 69
• Time-tracking apps, 58, 121, 221
• Time zones, 48, 52, 89, 167, 169, 192, 203–4, 224
• To-do lists, managing, 49, 58, 69, 124, 132, 142, 207, 215, 218, 234
• Transitions, 14, 44, 199–203, 212
• Transparency, 81–82, 88, 184, 207, 212

• Vacations, 71, 89, 183, 185, 193, 204, 224–28, 240, 242
• Video calls. See also Communication hacks
  • conference calls, 163–64, 176, 198
  • equipment for, 27–28, 30–35, 40, 76, 88, 120, 144, 172
  • green screens for, 31
  • noises and, 145
  • virtual backgrounds for, 30–31
  • virtual conferences, 147–48, 155, 164, 198
• Virtual whiteboards, 168. See also Whiteboards
• Visibility goals, 84–86, 98, 157, 160, 184, 198
• Voice/tone, 75–76, 96, 186. See also Facial expressions
• Volunteerism, 48, 236

• Walks, taking, 44, 63–64, 132, 232, 234, 237, 239
• Webcams
  • cover for, 32
  • ring light for, 28, 144
  • turning off, 65, 174
  • for video calls, 27–28, 30–35, 40, 88, 144, 172
  • video cameras, 148
• Whiteboards, 40, 114, 119–20, 168
• Wi-Fi connections, 34, 36, 38–39, 120–21, 154–55
• Workdays. See also Workweeks
  • beginning of, 24, 44, 47, 55–57, 59, 65, 114, 219, 222
  • consistency with, 45, 55
  • end of, 24, 44, 47, 59–60, 86, 215, 216, 219, 223
  • long workdays, 216, 235
  • meditation during, 128
  • structure for, 45
  • typical days, 115
• Work hours
  • apps for, 219, 223
  • consistency with, 45, 55
  • conveying to clients, 243
  • core work hours, 48–49, 97, 114–15, 204, 208
  • long workdays, 216, 235
  • starting/stopping, 219
  • work output and, 188, 240–41
• Work-life balance
  • activities for, 215–40
  • buffer days, 227
  • celebrations, 238
  • committing to, 216
  • coworkers and, 236–39
  • exercise and, 67, 230, 231, 232
  • family and, 115–19, 133–38, 214–47
  • four-day workweeks, 247
  • goals for, 216, 236, 242
  • maintaining, 214–47
  • new jobs and, 246
  • organization tips for, 215, 242, 245
  • phones and, 218–23, 237
  • priorities, 215
  • Summer Fridays, 227
  • to-do lists for, 215, 218, 234
  • vacations, 71, 89, 183, 185, 193, 204, 224–28, 240, 242
  • volunteerism, 48, 236
  • weekends and, 48, 67, 231, 232, 233, 236, 245
• Workouts, 67, 230–32. See also Exercise
• Workspace. See also Home office
  • bulletin board for, 39
  • changing location of, 36–37, 41–42, 66, 121
  • cleaning, 15, 114
  • coworking spaces, 40–42, 66, 121
  • decluttering, 15
  • designating, 9–13
  • desks for, 18–20, 22, 26
  • distractions and, 9–10, 14, 17, 113–42, 145–47, 175, 207, 212
  • furnishing, 11–40
  • “junk drawer” for, 15
  • kids and, 17, 131, 133–38, 145, 175, 212, 237
  • lighting for, 10, 24–25, 38, 46, 55, 117, 144
  • meetings in, 73
  • moving outdoors, 36–37
  • multiple spaces, 120
  • natural light for, 10, 24, 46, 55, 144
  • noises and, 10, 29, 122, 126, 131, 139–40, 145–46, 164–66
  • “office shed,” 14
  • organizing, 15–17, 27, 245
  • pets and, 138, 212
  • quiet spaces, 9–10, 120
  • renting, 73
  • rotating spaces, 120
  • separating, 9–14, 19
  • setting up, 8–42
  • shared spaces, 119
  • in small spaces, 9–13
  • smart lights for, 24, 38, 117
  • studio space, 9, 14
  • tidying, 15, 59
  • whiteboard for, 40, 114, 120, 168
  • white noise for, 126
• Workweeks. See also Workdays
  • consistency with, 45, 55
  • four-day workweeks, 247
  • long workweeks, 216, 235
  • preparations for, 67
  • structure for, 45
  • typical days, 115
• Writing skills, 91–94, 126, 128, 197

• Yoga, 58, 67, 213