Wendy Piersall had a follow-up post this weekend to her post last week when she ask what was the best thing about working at home. This weekend on her great blog eMoms at Home she ask, “What’s the Worst Part About Working at Home?”

In my comment to her previous post I mentioned the fact that I could actually spend more time with my wife. Something that is very positive. However, while it is a big plus, the same could be a negative. We may find we would rather spend that time with our spouses than with our desk and computer.

As Wendy states:

I get questions about challenges people are facing all of the time. Things like having a skeptical or unsupportive spouse, time management challenges, childcare issues (not unique to us entrepreneurs, of course), and many other things.

I get the same questions and concerns. Others I receive is how do I stay focused on the task at hand? How do I deal with screaming children in the house? How do I stay motivated when I would rather be playing with those screaming children?

There are no set rules for making sure you are productive in what you do in your home office. For me, the key is to have set rules. Rules not only for my family, but for myself.

It is quite easy to allow yourself to get distracted by what is going on in your home. I do the same thing. However, for me, I also found I was more productive in my home office than in a down town office building. I loved the fact I could get up before anyone else in the house, take my 15 second commute to my desk and start working. I also like the fact I can work later at night when everyone else is either doing homework, or in bed.

But, at the same time, you may find it is easier to spend too much time in the office because it is so accessible. You don’t have to drive to that downtown office to get back to work. I have found there are times I get lost in what I am doing and look up and it is in the early morning hours and I have worked through the night. We do so in the home office because, in my opinion, we are more comfortable there and allow ourselves to do so.

Wendy mentions this same problem in her post when she states, “today I still wish it was harder to walk away from work - both physically and mentally. Even when I’m off taking down time, my mind is still working on ideas, site optimization, and ten other random strategic business decisions.“

I find the same problem for myself. It is harder to get up and walk away from our home based business. The same benefit can be the same curse.

Rules, we have to set them. For the family, they all have to understand that when you are in the office, you are working and should not be bothered. If the door is closed, you are most likely in the middle of something and should not be disturbed. For you, the home office warrior, you should set rules too. When you are in the office, don’t allow yourself to be distracted by the fact you can go spend more time with your family. When you are in your office, work. And when you are in your office, set a timer so you remember to get up and spend time with the family. And when you are away from the home office, you should leave it there. Clear your mind of the distractions of the work on your desk. You deserve a break and most important, your family deserves to have your utmost attention.

The home office is not for everyone. You have to ask yourself a series of questions to determine if it is truly for you. And we will discuss those questions in a future post. In the meantime, leave your comments here as to what you did to determine if a home office was for you.