Did you know...every interruption (email, phone calls, etc.) takes about 6-9 minutes. To return to the original task takes an additional 4-5 minutes to refocus. With only 10 interruptions per day, that's over 2 wasted hours.

Many people dream of the "flexibility" of a home office. Picture it. You wake up, stretch go to the kitchen for coffee and then right to work. No commute. No office politics. Working perfection, right? Think again.

When I started my home based business, I was blissfully unaware of the time wasters lurking around each corner. Although I'd start the day with good intentions by 10am I found myself walking the dog, doing laundry, socializing with friends and not getting work done. By the end of the day, I'd look around and wonder why I hadn't finished what I started at 8:00am...I'd had all day to do it. Can you relate?

The keys to a successful home based business are boundaries. In the corporate world boundaries are already set for us. We show up at a particular time, take lunch and go home. When we transition to a home office, all of that goes out the window.

Here are a couple of tips that I've used to get back on track. Several of my clients have also used them with great success.

1. Develop set working hours - Set your start time, breaks and ending time, then stick to it. If you are a morning person, start early. If you are more productive in the afternoon, plan accordingly. Whatever your style, create a working day for yourself.
2. Communicate your working hours - It is important to communicate these hours to those inside and outside your house. Family and friends need to know when you are working and when you aren't. At the beginning that may mean not taking calls or closing your office door. Sooner or later they will get the picture.
3. Have a door to your office and try to have it in a separate room - Offices in bedrooms or living rooms do not lend themselves to productive work. The act of going some place to work also puts you in the right frame of mind. When you finish for the day, close the door and enter your home life. It makes a huge difference when you aren't looking at work all night long.
4. Make your office inspirational - Being in business is a creative process. There is nothing worse than trying to be creative in a dull space. Make your office personally inspirational. Use pictures, plants, books, etc. to invite you to be your best.

You can have a very productive business out of your home. All it takes are a few ground rules.