Running a business from home can wear you out before lunch time if you’re not careful, never mind running out of steam before you get your new company turning a profit. Use the following ideas to help improve your productivity and increase the level of energy you have to work with.

1. Set your priorities straight every day. The needs of your home business must be met and that won’t happen if you live a life of leisure. Despite working from home, you are still working and need to address every business task with fervor and accuracy. Make it a point of writing a to-do list for business each night, and get right on it first thing in the morning.

2. Keep distractions at a minimum. Don’t allow people to interrupt you or your home business will suffer. Make sure everyone knows when you are on the clock and unless they have an emergency, tell them to respect your professional agenda. This includes kids; see that their needs are met, snacks set out etc. and lay down the rules for them too. This will be one of your biggest challenges, but the life of your business depends upon it.

3. Stick to a strict schedule. Just because you can take an hour-long coffee break doesn’t mean you should. Treat your home office no differently than you would one in the corporate world. Work when it needs to be done and use even more hours to prepare for upcoming clients, events or office work like ordering supplies. Use your time wisely and business will run much more smoothly.

4. Maximize your efficiency. If there is a way to do something quicker or multi-task more jobs, find it. Before long your business responsibilities will become more natural and reflexive, which will free-up more of your creative energy to expand and improve. Avoid cutting corners or slacking off, no matter how menial the task is and you will find your business instincts evolve and your natural talents emerge!

5. Outsource your smaller house jobs if possible. Things like cleaning could be delegated to kids, a friend or your spouse. Consider compensation where appropriate, like raising your kid’s allowance or watching your friend’s kids on date-night for them. Negotiate with those around you and get them excited about your success; this will entice them into being a part of it.

6. Avoid burnout by taking breaks and resting up. Yes, your new home business will eat up all your time and energy, especially in the beginning; however, you can’t function like that forever. Pace yourself, take moments throughout the day to meditate and regroup, eat healthy and sleep well each night. By keeping yourself in top condition mentally and otherwise, you will be enabling yourself to succeed with your home business.

Spending your time more efficiently will improve your odds of making it with your new home business. Heed this advice and learn from the mistakes of others before you even begin, and you should do just fine!