Working from home can be a challenge, with plenty of things to distract you from staying on task. Whether you work from home on a full time basis, or you just bring a project home for the weekend, it's easy to consume yourself with other activities or chores, leaving no time for what you really need to accomplish.

Even I have a bit of a problem with the old procrastination when bringing work home. Shocking, I know! I get ready to start on a project, but then I notice there's a bit of clutter in the dining room. I can't work until the clutter is gone, so I give the house a bit of a once over, tidying up here and there. I finally settle down at the computer, but then I notice the baseboards are a bit dusty. Can't have that! I better just dust them all before I really get started - then I can work. But while dusting the baseboards, I glance at the bathroom that needs a new coat of paint. One trip to the hardware store and a renovated bathroom later, and I'm finally ready to work. My house is never as clean as when I bring work home.

So how do you combat the home office productivity pitfalls?

A few simple steps can help. First, make sure you set a start and an end time to your work day. If you have set hours, you are more likely to accomplish your tasks within those hours. You'll also be less likely to spend family time on work-related tasks.

Second, have a designated workspace. Whether it's the back bedroom, the garage, or the crawlspace in the attic, have a place strictly devoted to doing your job. Keep the area work-related and distraction free, so if you find you are paying more attention to Days of our Lives than that quarterly report, get rid of the TV! We have a nice variety of items to keep your workspace organized, so that what's work related doesn't get mixed up with the family bills, the macaroni art projects, or Fido's chew toys.

And third, use lists to keep your tasks organized, and hold yourself accountable to your list. If something pops up, like that bathroom remodel, then make sure you have your list completed first. You'll get more done, and at the end of the day you'll have more time to do the things you really love to do.