In fact, I really like your idea (6) of working offline….there is absolutely no reason that I couldn’t write my content offline until it comes time to insert links in my posts. I’d be much more productive I think. Thanks Wendy!

I find that I have to restrain myself from playing with the kids when I haven’t finished what needs to be done. Once I start playing with them I forget about everything else.

Don’t check email first thing in the morning because if you find something troubling, it can often hinder accomplishing your tasks for the day.

Also, check and respond to email twice per day. Try it. I get more done on the days that I do this. And it’s not hard. You could even check your email more often, but the idea is to check it, respond to what’s important and then shut it down. You shut it down so it’s not sitting there tempting you with interruptions.

Really, give this a try. And if it doesn’t work, go back to what you were doing.

Awesome write-up, Wendy.

Great summary – good suggestions. I’ve never managed to work effectively offline either.

Cheers, Ellesse

Seriously, I am guilty of each and every one of these distractions (and probably a few that you haven’t thought of). Thanks for making the list and letting WAHMs know that they aren’t facing these distractions alone.

Today I have been reading Harry Potter stuff on the internet, checking email every few seconds, and checking my web / blog / eZine stats every few minutes.

One of my secrets is to pick two things each day that I will do first, for the first 2 hours I work (9-11 am). Today that was finish up and launch a new blog, and send out an email promotion to my list.

So, even though I wasted a bunch of time, at least I got those two things done.

Elizabeth