One of the biggest challenges of running a home business is maintaining productivity. In a traditional office setting, the opportunities to wander from work are limited. There are restrictions on internet usage, bosses and managers to report to, and an uninspiring cubicle to stare at. When it comes to productivity, the traditional office is actually quite a solid unit.

Of course, in a home office setting there are hundreds of things that could potentially steal productivity. From that oh-so-funny Youtube video you just got emailed to the bright and sunny weather out the window, running a home business gives you the chance to succumb to all kinds of distracting temptations. The key to a successful home business does not necessarily rest in ignoring them entirely, but in systematically tuning them out during your work periods.

These five strategies can help you boost your productivity in an environment that is packed with distractions. If your productivity is failing at home, incorporate them into your work routine and enjoy high-earning days, distraction-free work, and home business success.

1. Route communications through one channel.
Phone calls, emails, IMs, PMs, and tweets all add up quickly. Checking all of your communications channels can take up hours every day, which is why it is best to consolidate them all into one channel. If you are swamped for time, let your clients, customers, and business contacts know that you will only be monitoring one form of communication. Once you have cut out the fluff, you will find plenty of new time for productive work.

2. Use Leechblock to filter out unproductive websites.
Leechblock is one of the most simple yet incredibly effective Firefox extensions available. A simple website-blocking script, it allows users to isolate, acknowledge, and block websites that do nothing but distract them. If you need to optimize your workday, create a list of distracting websites — Youtube, Wikipedia, and Twitter are a good place to start — and set them to be blocked during your work hours.

3. If you work online, buy a second monitor.
Studies have shown that splitting your digital workspace across two screens can boost your productivity by up to 30%. Rather than constantly switching from one window to another, two monitors allows you to have all your information clearly visible and accessible. Changing applications does not cost much time per-day, but when viewed on a per-month or per-year scale, it can be quite a shocking time killer.

4. Work to your circadian rhythm.
Humans are naturally tuned to be most productive during certain time periods. For some, the standard 9-5 is the best period for work. However, for most, the most effective periods of the day occur during the early morning or late at night.

Spend a few weeks experimenting with your work output at different points in the day. If you can identify a clear advantage period, stick to it and use it to increase your per-day work output.

5. Set deadlines for yourself.
Working for yourself allows you the opportunity to slack off, and too many home-based entrepreneurs take it. By setting yourself deadlines — even if they mean nothing — you are laying down the law and encouraging yourself to get more things done during the day. Set up a whiteboard in your home office and develop a clear deadline schedule. It might hurt at first, but as a long-term productivity device, deadlines are definitely worth it.

© 2010, Ask Steven Hippe. All rights reserved.