Ask most people their reasons for starting a home business and they will tell you that spending more time with family and friends is high on the list. Then flash forward a few months later and you will find many of them still shut away in their home office at 8pm on a Friday night. Afraid to call it a day because they might miss something, or they feel just a few more hours will get them a real jumpstart on tomorrow, when they might be able to consider taking a break.

Starting a successful home business is hard work but, if it takes over your entire life it is hardly the pleasurable adventure you had envisioned. Setting business hours for your home based venture – and sticking to them – is crucial to both your success and your sanity.

It is a wonderful thing if you are readily available for your clients and customers but, that does not mean you should be at your computer at midnight on a weekend when everyone else has gone to bed. If you work with clients in other time zones (which many freelancers do) make sure they know your availability. Outside of those times let your voicemail take the phone calls and leave the emails until the next day.

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Of course, once you have set scheduled hours work them. Take a break for lunch but, not a two hour break for Judge Judy and Oprah. The key to running a successful home business is to treat it like one. Your old boss in the “real world” probably never let you take time to catch up on your favorite soap. Make sure friends and family understand this too. Just because you are “at home” does not mean that you have time to run their errands or watch their kids, you are working too. While, sticking to your scheduled hours and staying focused can be easier said than done, it will benefit both you and your business.