5 Ways To Prevent Interruptions When Working From Home

When we work from a home office, we tend to “see” all the other things that need to be done in our home and it is so easy to get distracted or interrupted.  Many day-to-day distractions can get in the way: unexpected drop ins, family/friends calling, demands of children or spouse, dogs needing to go out, laundry, outside chores…..the list is endless.

Here are some key strategies to keeping yourself organized so that interruptions do not get in the way of your success:

1. Focus.

Be very clear on the fact that when you have work to do, you must be COMMITTED to yourself. Do what you say you are going to do and give yourself more loyalty and commitment than you gave to your previous employer.

2. Use a daytimer.

Slot in all the important tasks you need to personally look after and put time frames on them. I recommend doing this a week in advance.

3. Have a voicemail system.

If you are busy with another task, let the calls go to voicemail. You will get far more done if you stay focused on what you were doing and then return calls, than if you allow an interruption in the middle of something. This applies to all other technological interruptions – email, skype, social media, etc.

4. Set appointments.

Book meetings with friends or family that want to drop in rather than having people drop in “whenever”. You are self employed – if you want to spend time with someone that is coming over you can time slot as much time as you want – but if it is a surprise drop in, your time spent with them will not be of the same quality because you will be thinking about all the things you should be doing.

5. Professional work environment.

Make sure you have a private work space, preferably with a door! When your door is closed it is a sign to anyone else in the home that you are “working” and can’t be disturbed unless it is an emergency. Some successful home business entrepreneurs even have an unwritten rule in their home – if the door is shut, unless someone is bleeding, do not open that door.

Have you found these tips useful? Tell us about other ways to prevent interruption when working from home!

Source: Work Babble

Image: eHow