Had to quote:
“Make it work, then make it work better”

That’s what every skilled and experienced programmers say, and is also one of the most difficult philosophies to assume, it takes a lot of time – and missed deadlines, but when you finally realize that you can make something to work, get the job done and then optimize/enhance it, if really needed, then I can tell you, you are going thru the right path.

I used to work 60% at home and 40% on site – my experience is that whatever employers say about being modern and virtual offices etc., they actually want to see bums on seats and are very suspicious about people working remotely. Strange, though, that the middle management bunch (the ones who wear a company laptop as their badge of office) always manage to work from home and are never available when they are needed which, being managers is most of the time. They tend also to be the ones who veto remote working.

To add another bullet point (from your text) – break down big tasks into smaller ones.

And one of my own – remember that the last, smallest task will take the most time.

And another – you’re entitled to breaks at home, too. Don’t overwork.

I also find headphones useful – even if they play no sound – as a means of psychological isolation from distraction and also a flag to the family that I am (virtually) not there.

More and more I now find myself fulfilling the brief and no more, even if I can see improvements on the way – in the office we now just say, “phase two”.

Some people tell me they would just get too distracted being at home, which is why I work down in my dingy basement instead of on the main floor where the TV, comfy couch, and kitchen are. I’ve got no choice but to stay (relatively) on task.