Working from home can sound quite attractive. There is no requirement to be smartly dressed, no possibility of being held up in morning car jams and no need to fill the car up with fuel.

There will be no interruptions from colleagues; in fact, nothing to disturb you. Just peace and quiet for some quality work... or is it really like that?

You have visions of increased productivity with fewer interruptions. But the distinctions between work-life and home-life soon blur. You still have an hour before a Skype call — so maybe just time to read the sports section in Gulf News...

Welcome to the real world of unforeseen distractions and friendly neighbours who knock on the door when they see your car in the driveway. You may think you are a freelance marketing consultant but others may see you as available to pick their children up from school not to mention those who will knock on your door for some free professional advice on their new project.

So the dream of running your business from home may not be the exact reality you had in mind. However, for many of my clients, it is a really satisfying way of working and they would never go back to working in an office again, by choice.

Here are some of their tips:

* Compartmentalise your working space by keeping a clear work demarcation line in your home.

This is very important even if you only have a small room. Everyone needs to know and accept that you are in ‘work mode’.

• Structure your time: You need to have a daily timetable and a priority list of work jobs to be done. If you go to the gym, then try and aim to go there at the same time each day. Discipline is the name of the game here.

Also ensure that you have your lunch in the same way as you would do at the office; however you can also use part of this time to get some fresh air so that you recharge your batteries.

* Group your phone calls

Whether you work from home or an office, this is a very good use of your time. Make a list in the morning of all the people you need to speak to and designate a particular time to speak to them.

* Keep your workspace tidy

In a small confined space, it’s important to be able to locate any document quickly. Colour-coded files can be really helpful here.

* Meetings

If you have meetings to attend, then maybe designate one day as your meetings day and again group them together in the same way as you do your phone calls.

* Streamline your business

Nobody is blessed with every skill necessary to complete every job and sometimes you will need to outsource. It could be an IT requirement or related to finance or administration. It is important to arrange for professional advice when you need it.

There are some great freelance consultants who would be happy to support you, but be very clear in your brief so that they are very specific about your requirements. You are far better off spending time on what you do best, rather than trying to do everything.

* Work with your moods

If you are a morning person, then concentrate on the challenging jobs early in the day, but if your creativity only starts later then plan to do the routine stuff first.


* Comfortable furniture

If you work from home, it is important to invest in the right chair and table and to make sure that the height of your chair is adjustable so as not to cause backache.

* Network

As you will not be in the office, you will have to make the time to go to networking events. Plan what you want to take with you. It is amazing how many people turn up and say they have left their business cards behind...

* Plan for the next day

Before you leave your office space, make sure you have written your ‘to-do’ list for the next day and that you have all your files readily available.

If you work from home, I hope that some of the above will help you to be more effective. Of course, you can still pick up the children from school — just put it into your schedule.

— The author is a BBC Guest-Broadcaster and Motivational Speaker. She is CEO of an international Stress Management consultancy and her new book, ‘Show Stress Who’s Boss!’ is available in all good bookshops.