Beverley East, Contributor

After I had my son, I started working from home, but no one really took me serious. I would get calls in the middle of the day, with friends and family members talking about nothing really important that could not wait, but they did not respect my time.

I hired a nanny at first, kissed my son goodbye and went downstairs into my home office. Then, as my son got older, I would take him to kindergarten and work when he was out of the house.

I come from a family where no one has any boundaries, everyone just come and go as he/she pleases. Some family members even have their own keys to my house. In the end, I just had to get a separate telephoneline and not answer the home number in the middle of the day.

They would yell at me, "Why you don't answer the phone?"

"I'm working," I would yell back at them when they called on the office line. "Would you harass me like this if I were working in an office in town?"

If you are working from home, it is up to you to set your boundaries, your responsibility to get organised, keep a schedule and be really strict with family and friends (they are the biggest offenders).

Although I have three offices, I only go in them for large meetings that won't hold around my dinning table. Even staff meetings are held by conference calls once a week, but I do get together with my staff monthly for a socials. Technology now affords us this luxury of working off-site

Working from home is ideal, especially if you have young children. The flexible time is more valuable than the money you may make working from a nine-five desk job. Plus, so much time is spent stuck in traffic.

However, are you putting in a full eight hours? Now that the weather is nice (I'm currently in Washington, D.C.), I find myself skipping out of the house around three just to enjoy the good weather, then after two hours of wasting precious time, I saunter back to prepare dinner and when my son settles down to do his homework, I use this time to squeeze in at least two more hours.

Resentful

I'm resentful because I would rather be sitting at some chic, sidewalk café. If I'm working on a deadline, I might stay up until 2:00 a.m. and sleep a little later in the morning. I would not change my flexible schedule for the world.

My neighbours find me a little standoffish. I'm really a quiet, friendly and nice person, but I keep my neighbours at bay. I don't want anyone to bother me about picking up any packages for them, or to borrow cups of sugar. Places that I have lived my neighbours will tell you they hardly know me.

They may know others in my household very well, but not me. The worst thing that can happen to me is that I will be in the flowof writing something and the door bell will ring and behind that door will be somebody who will want something that is important to them but of no consequence to me.

So, because I don't appear friendly, neighbours don't even knock or ring my bell. Despite my lack of neighbourly love, I must say that all my neighbours in London, Kingston and Washington are extremely patient and polite with me. Which I am thankful for.

So what are the distractions that can kill your work day?

Your children generally can kill your best- made plans, especially if they are sick - one or two days gone if it is something serious. Then, because they know you are at home, they don't always make the best effort to take everything they need to school, because they know that mum can bring it to them because she is at home. In their minds - not doing much.

My son tried that a few times until I had to knock it on the head, so to speak.

Personal calls and drop-ins are also big distractions. The best way to deal with drop-ins is not to let them in. If you let them in, it is harder to get them to leave. Don't agree to be the drop-off and pick-up point for anyone or anything, it will spread like wild fire and before you know it your house will be like a train station.

Running personal errands that usually can only be done in the day time can eat up your time; the television is another puller. I personally like to keep it on in another room since 9/11. But I have been known to stop what I am doing and watch a full hour in the middle of the day (especially those old black and white movies). If you find you fall victim to these distractions, here are some suggestions to make your workday more productive (see box).

Email writefully_yours@hotmail.com.

Tips

Keep to the same schedule

Start your day as if you were going into the office. Get up at the same time, change out of your pyjamas and stick to your normal morning routine. Lounging around in bed will open the door to procrastination.

Don't arrange meetings for the middle of the day

Arrange your meetings either early in the morning or at the end of the day. When you arrange them in the middle of the day you will be planning and prepping for the meeting from the time you get up very little will get done before you leave. The meeting may run over longer than you planned so by the time you get back you are not up to doing much else. Also avoid having lunch dates with friends. Treat yourself now and again to do this but avoid it as much as you can. If you can avoid meetings face to face and have them by phone it saves so much time.

Plan your work, work your plan

Create a list of specific goals you want to achieve for the week and then break down the goals on what is realistic to achieve on a daily basis. Each day, cross off what you have done as you have completed them you will really feel a sense of accomplishment. Don't overload yourself with too many goals in one week. A sure way to feel overwhelmed which can actually have the reverse affect of achieving nothing.

Take a Break

Taking some time to play with your children, eat a snack or taking a walk will not send your schedule haywire. Just keep breaks to a minimum. Often, moving away from your work area rejuvenates your mind.

Second Phone Line

Be sure to have a second phone line and under no circumstances answer the home number in the middle of the day.

Location, Location, Location

Have a specific work area set up. Create a welcoming home office that you will want to be in. Don't attempt to work in front of the TV or near the radio, but choose a location in your home that is quiet and structured where you can complete projects efficiently. It should also be an area that is off limits to your children and clutter free. Happy home work!