As a home-based, self-employed woman, mundane tasks can be as compelling to me as chocolate. Laundry. Dishes. Email. Try as I might to stay focused on running my business, at times, these uninspiring tasks beckon to me as a moth to a flame.

Why, you might ask, do I compare the common task of laundry to the delightful and satisfying experience of chocolate? Its not that I adore the opportunity to do household chores, but sometimes any distraction is easier and more enjoyable than hunkering down to work.

It begs the question, why do I want to avoid my work? I love my business. Theres nothing Id rather do for a living. It gives me the opportunity to be creative, serve people and hopefully give back to the world. Im bountifully aware of the benefits.

I know Im not alone in this dilemma, I hear it all the time, procrastination; lack of focus and distraction is a universal challenges for self-employed people. Whats more, for the self-employed person working from home, this treacherous trio can become a slippery slope.

Before I offer solutions and tips for improving focus and productivity, consider what underlying issues might be at the root of your problem.

You cant build a strong foundation on sand. Any attempt to construct supporting structures or find solutions wont last if you havent paid attention to the basics.

Begin by moving through a self-evaluation to discover if you have a foundational issue at the root. If you do, dont get discouraged or mired in it. You can address it in a way that will move you forward. As a person smarter than me once said, denials not a river in Egypt and they were right!

Examples of underlying issues that can be at the root of distraction or procrastination can be: Anything you dont want to face or deal with regarding your business. Are sales sluggish? Are you worried about cash flow? Are you dissatisfied with your work and need to make a shift? Do you lack confidence or skills you need to accomplish your mission? Are you afraid of rejection, failing, succeeding, being too visible?

If so, youre not alone. If you can relate to any of these questions dont worry, theyre NOT insurmountable. What CAN be insurmountable is the daily energy drain of procrastination, lack of focus and distraction. Once you name and claim the true problem you have a real shot at fixing it.

What will you do to address what you discovered? You can work with these issues in a variety of ways from inner reflection to requesting outside assistance. I challenge you to commit to this.

Here are the solutions and tips I promised:

1. Take your work seriously. Create a distinction between work time and home time. Make sure everyone in your family and your friends know your schedule. You might need to train your loved ones. Conversely, when youre done with work, be done with work and turn off the computer and phone.

2. Have a separate space designated for work. Close the door. This is an important psychological and literal necessity to create boundaries. Also, make sure your work doesnt drift all over your home. Even in tight quarters, there are numerous storage container systems that with minimal investment will create a harmonious shared environment.

3. Dress for work. Its tempting to stay in your cozy sweats. After all whos gonna know? This subtle action sends a message to your subconscious. It also helps you put on your professional hat when engaging with customers. Just like smiling, when youre doing business on the phone, conveys a clear, positive attitude customers can feel, so does dressing the part.

4. Make a workday/work week schedule and stick to it. Divide your time into categories of activities such as working in your business (this is the actual work you do), working on your business (this includes the support work you do to make your business function), thinking time, lunchtime, whatever you want to include in your day.

5. Schedule your personal chores and errands around your work time. Resist the temptation to throw in a load of wash between work activities. Five minutes here and there can add up and before you know it youre wondering why you didnt get as much accomplished as you intended.

Working from home is a wonderful opportunity full of many benefits and advantages or it can be like a pebble in your shoe, a constant source of friction and frustration. You have the choice. Clear any obstacles at the root of your frustration. Make sure you take time to put supportive systems in place. I guarantee it will make the difference in your level of success and fulfillment.

Ok, now Im off to do the laundryjust kidding.

Its YOUR lifelive it completely!

Helaine Iris

As a professional Life Coach and founder of Path of Purpose Coaching, Helaine utilizes a broad range of professional experience in business management, training, program development and counseling.

As General Manager of Oasis Tools for Transformation, she spent eight years managing the start up and operation of four retail outlets throughout New England.

In her eight years with an international, non-profit, women’s health organization, she developed and implemented a Health Care Assistant training program encompassing 20 regional branches of the organization. During the same time, she also counseled hundreds of women on proper reproductive health and physical well-being.

Working with best-selling author Byron Katie for 18 months, she helped develop, directed and coordinated events for Katie’s international School for The Work. She also spent two years as a faculty member and mentor coach for Life on Purpose Institute, a coach training organization based in North Carolina.

Helaine received her initial Life Coach certification from Life on Purpose Institute in 2002, and she continues to expand her skills as a student in Coachville’s Schools of Coaching. She holds a BA in psychology from Roger Williams College, and she has received certifications as a Mediator, a Transformational Breath facilitator and a facilitator of Byron Katie’s “The Work.”

A respected writer, Helaine has been featured widely on numerous websites and online newsletters, as well as traditional print publications, including The Oprah Magazine.

An active member of the business community, Helaine serves as President of the Keene chapter of BNI (Business Networking International). She also serves on the board of HGM Development Inc, a local business development organization supporting small business owners throughout New Hampshire.

Helaine is married and has two grown children. From her home in Keene, New Hampshire, she enjoys gardening, cooking, practicing Pilates, building a thriving business and maintaining deep and meaningful friendships. She loves her life and awakens each day excited to make the world a better place, one person at a time.