I am a typical Gen X employee and started my career as a university teacher in the early days of the Internet. I was restricted to working in an office and wasted a great deal of my time commuting. Once I arrived into my office, I tried to be as productive as possible which wasn't always easy after commuting -especially if I'd encountered delays on my journey. Same challenge on the way back. This was my life for many years. Sound familiar to you?

However, as time passed my career progressed and for the last 15 years I have been working for global American IT companies (MSFT, CSCO). My working days are very different now. I no longer commute to an 'office' and instead my days are flexible and provide me with a very different work/life balance -all of which has increased my productivity.

What factors have transformed my working life so dramatically I hear you ask? Let me share with you the top five things that have changed my professional and personal life and as a result have increased my productivity and the everyday impact I have.

And at the end "there is one more thing" ...

1. The evolution and use of technology.

Do you remember your first mobile telephone? I do! It was HUGE and bulky. I look back today and smile at how ridiculous it probably looked. But technology evolves rapidly and that bulky device is now a smart device that most people are incapable of living without.

My smartphone, tablet, a laptop (who uses a desktop anymore) and an Internet connection is all I need to enable me to work from anywhere at any time. With the agreement and encouragement of my employer I choose to work from home regularly. I have a home office and no commute which means I am immediately more productive.

With my coffee in hand, I focus on high quality work in the morning -this quiet time enables me to focus. Have you tried to work out a strategy in a noisy open office environment? It is near impossible! I can do so much more effectively out of my home office.

Video technology provides me with ability to connect with my team members across Europe and has the positive side effect that with cameras turned on, people don