* By 5:30 p.m. I usually pack it in, but not before engaging in some outdoor activity either solo or with my wife and kids. Usually it's a walk or bike ride, chipping golf balls from a practice tee, visiting vegetable garden, or anything that helps me wind down and make a smooth transition from "work" to "home"--something that my lengthy return commute used to accomplish.

"BE AT WORK" IN YOUR HOME OFFICE My office space is a 10-foot by 13-foot converted spare bedroom on second floor of my house, with an attached 3-foot by 6-foot storage closet--ample room for a desk and chair, computer, and storage space. Sound-deadening board in walls, plus a heavy six-panel solid wood door--complete with lock and key--make it a physically distinct space, which helps me "be at work" when I need to be.

I have no distractions unless I allow distractions.

To create an even more physically distinct space, I expect to relocate my office to a spot atop an attached garage that I plan to build in next couple of years. This new office is certain to have many of same features of my current space--which will revert to a spare bedroom for guests--plus added nuance of being more physically removed from rest of house. I plan an entrance that is only accessible through garage, which will certainly make for a "commute" that's much lengthier than one I now enjoy--affording me more time to "wind up" in morning and to "wind down" at night.

DISCIPLINE REQUIRED A physically distinct space coupled with discipline to distinguish "being at work" from "being at home" will help you make most of your work-at-home situation. The advantages to working at home are great, and challenges of succeeding even greater. You can help stack deck in your favor by creating daily work-like routines that instill discipline necessary for you to "commute" to your home office in body, mind and spirit--while you still retain proximity and access to what matters most: your family, your home and time and flexibility you need to enjoy them.

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Copyright (c) 2004 by Matt McGovern--All rights reserved.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS: * When I converted spare bedroom to office space a few years ago, I placed industrial shelving in room's large 3-foot by 6-foot closet, creating an efficient storage area lined with office supplies, paper, envelopes, client files, books, computer references, print cartridges, and more--all easy to access, all readily available. No more down time hunting for paper clips!

* On walls, I hung non-work related items such as photos of my wife and children, a painting of a doe and fawn lakeside, photos I've taken of places I've visited (and often would rather be)--all visual cues I can look to when I need to step back from a project and remind myself of what's really important.

* I recently added a semi-dry aquarium to mix, full of shells, sea glass, and mementos of various excursions to sea shores both near and far. What's unique about this mostly-dry aquarium is that at its center in a traditional "gold fish" bowl resides--you guessed it--a gold fish. As I watch fish swim about its watery home, "Flo" has become a companion of sorts, providing me with occasional and necessary mental "breaks" from lengthy stints at computer or on phone.

* I also have a doublewide window that overlooks my backyard and a strategically located birdfeeder that affords occasional glimpses of a flitting jay, chickadee or mourning dove--not to mention sometimes-comical antics of several resident red and gray squirrels as they shinny up steel post from which feeder hangs.

BE "AT WORK" WHEN YOU NEED TO BE By creating your own distinct space, you can truly "be at work" when you need to be. No more trying to mask sounds of jovial children in background as you speak to a client; no more apologizing for being up late with light on, rustling papers as you print latest draft of that important proposal.

Once you get a room for your home office and once you make it your own, you will see a marked difference. With fewer distractions and an increased ability focus, you'll be more productive, more attentive, and that much further along way to making your dreams of successful self-employment a reality.

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Copyright (c) 2004 by Matt McGovern--All rights reserved.