Get in the Habit of Setting Time Limits for Tasks
For instance, reading and answering email can take over your whole day if you let it. Anything that is not one of your major tasks for the day needs to have a time limit. For instance, set a limit of one hour a day for email and stick to it.
Establish Routines to Manage Interruptions
Interruptions and crises happen, but you will be a lot more productive if you can follow routines most of the time. You will also find that when you do have interruptions, you will be able to flow back into your work faster.
One of the biggest sources of interruptions occurs when the small business person works from home. Many people dream about being able to work at home. They imagine sitting in their immaculate home office zipping through tasks while sipping a cappuccino or herbal tea. Compared to the standard office cubicle, a home office seems like an oasis.
After all, wouldn't you get more done if you didn't have to work surrounded by noise and constant interruptions, nor all that wasted time sitting in boring meetings? The good news is that the number of meetings you have to attend goes way down. The bad news is that there may even more distractions, interruptions and time wasters to deal with at home.
People that only have experience working at a store or in an office may have a hard time accepting the fact that you are actually working at home (or trying to). Well meaning neighbors tend to pop by, assuming that you have time to chat since you didn't drive off anywhere to go to work. There are the usual doorbell ringers trying to sell you something, collect for charities, or invite you to church. And then there is the telephone. Getting people to call you during your non-working hours rather than your prime working time is a bit of a challenge. After all, you're at home, right?
More bad news
When you work at home, you have to motivate and organize yourself. Unless you are really good at staying on task, you may find yourself giving into temptation more easily when you work at home. After all, what is more appealing, making yet another sales call or playing with your child?