It is a great feeling to work at home. Gone are the long commutes, gas expenses and office drama. You don’t have to deal with an aggressive boss and get up at the crack of dawn. However, many home business owners start to be less efficient because they have no structure to their work day. Here are some easy ways to maintain efficiency and stay organized in your home business.

1. Set aside a special space for your work. Working at home can happen in any room. You can work at the kitchen table, on your bed in your bedroom, or on the living room couch. However, all of those locations provide easy distractions. If you want to be serious about getting your work done, set aside a special location that is only for your work. You will find it is much easier to stay focused.

2. Do not be distracted when you are working. This distraction can come from outside sources or from yourself. Send calls to voicemails so that your family and friends do not call you, knowing you will be at home to talk. Keep the television off. Do not open internet browser tabs for going to Facebook or Twitter. Give yourself a limit for reading the newspaper. Remember, if you don’t work you don’t get paid. You can do all those other things when your work is done.

3. Dress professionally. While one of the most exciting things about working at home is that you can wear your pajamas, that might not be the smartest thing to do. Think about it from a psychological standpoint. When you are in your pajamas, your mind is ready for sleep. If you’re wearing your ‘around the house’ shorts, you are not going to be in work mode. Getting fully dressed and looking professional will help get your mind ready for a day of work.

4. Store all your papers in one spot. This can be the bane of any home business owner: where to store files and reports. Keep them all in one place so that you know where to find them. Not only that, but there is no reason for your work papers to be littered throughout the house. Keep them in your workspace at all times.

5. Set rules for yourself and anyone who lives with you. Let people know when you will be working so they will be less likely to bother you. Let them know what circumstances count as exceptions, because much of the time they will think their distraction is alright. Stick to your own rules; if you say you will be done with work at 5pm, stop working at 5pm. Remember to take breaks.

A home business can be a wonderful endeavor if you set some ground rules and start off in the right way. Make your business a success by staying focused and committed. Just keep these tips in mind and you will be able to handle whatever comes your way.