By, JR

Last week I sat down to do some link building and write two articles. Unfortunately for me I started reading email and then I got all caught up in it and the emails and that led to other useless stupidity and before I knew it 3 & 1/2 hours had passed, wasted on sheer and utter stupidity!!

I know this has happened to you guys as well so don’t even try to deny it!

It is important to address time management when working at home because we need to have a lot more discipline than working for a boss. When working at home with, I hope legitimate work from home jobs, we have the freedom to choose what we do, when we work and there is no one to answer to but our selves.

Also, I am sure that many of you have full time jobs, kids and spouses that allow only a limited amount of time for Internet marketing and building your online business and so the time you do have is just that much more precious.

So, after I lost those 3 hours and I knew that I have done this before, I decided to implement a better plan.

Working at Home Time and Task Management Plan:

1. Everyday write down a list of tasks that must be completed the following day. Be realistic and make sure these can all be completed in the time available.

2. Don’t put to many complicated brain draining activities on the same list. Like, Tuesday: write 5 articles and 1 blog post, this is too much of the same thing.

Try to mix the more creative and exhausting tasks with easier more technical tasks, like link building and article writing, blog post and link building, directory submissions and forum posting, website content and keyword research, etc…

3. Have the list sitting where it will slap you in the face as you sit down at your work station.

4. Work first on those tasks and nothing else until they are done. No email or other distracting activities!

5. Commit to beat yourself senseless unless you stick to the plan!

I have been doing this since last week and I cannot believe how much more productive and efficient I am. Also, I find that my work has improved because I am doing these important tasks FIRST when I am fresh and clear! My articles are better and easier to write and I was able to add some good content to one of my websites after weeks of promising myself that I would while spending hours on inane activities. And, after I am done with those tasks then I can spend as long as I want on email and whatever without any guilt!

What do you guys think? How do manage your time? What tips do you have to be more efficient and productive when working at home?