One of the biggest problems with any home based is having the flexibility to make changes in your work schedule. However, when first starting out in your own home business, stay as formal as possible. Try to keep business hours. This will help you set pattern in your behavior that will contribute to business success. As your business grows, you can relax a bit and add a little flexibility to your schedule.

If you're going to work at home, the key word being "work" you will need to create an environment that will allow you to operate in a business-like manner. Here are seven rules to help you organize yourself and create an environment that encourages work. The first three rules will help you organize your home office so you can work at home more productively and the last four will help you organize your work schedule in ways that will discourage others from interrupting you and keep you motivated when you're working at home.

1. Set up a separate home office. Set up a separate room if at all possible where you can physically separate your home and work life. If a separate room is not available, at lease set your desk and materials in a place where it can be undisturbed and remain organized. A physical separation helps you mentally separate yourself from home life as well and establishes a distance. Using a home office space will show other family members that you are working and need to not be disturbed as well.

2. Make your home office a work space. Keep your space clean and organized so that you can work efficiently. Getting your home office organized and keeping it that way prevents distractions and time-wasting. Things like in and out boxes, filing cabinets and garbage cans are all important items to have in an organized office space. Also, be sure to keep all your relevant working materials in your work space.

3. Minimize distractions. You will need to be able to concentrate on the business at hand. Set a business schedule and discuss it with family members so that they can help in respecting work time. Also, spend some money to get separate phone lines for your home and business. Be sure to have not just a phone line, but also a fax line and one for a modem. This should help separate home life and work because you can let the answering machine pick up the family's telephone line to allow more time to be focused on work issues.

4. Keep your calendar prominent. Make sure your work schedule is visible so you can stay on task and organize your time efficiently. Start a habit of beginning your day looking at your calendar and the deadlines or to-do activities you've listed there. Focus on what you can and can't accomplish that day and prioritize your tasks. Deciding what to do and when you need to do it will put you in work-mode and help you focus on those tasks that really need to be done.

5. Keep track of your time. By doing so, you can see where you time is being spent and thus be able to adjust your schedule and revise your goals. The best way to keep track of your time is to use a notebook or daytimer and write down your hours and tasks throughout the working day as you work at home. Remember to include work-related activities such as answering email and paperwork in your time tracking. If you don't list them as "work" you won't think of them as work, and will put them off.

6. Keep to your work schedule. Plan a schedule and they stick to it. The great advantage to working at home is that you can work when you want. Use that advantage and set your hours accordingly, just be sure you set aside enough time to accomplish your tasks. Whatever work schedule you establish, be consistent. Your work will go much easier and more efficiently if you stay on a regular schedule.

7. Be realistic. Determine how many hours you can realistically work and stick to it as much as possible. Don't let you're your work schedule control you. Stay in the drivers seat and you should be able to maintain peace of mind. Setbacks will happen and disappointments will arise, but recognize them as part of reality and push on.