Paula, not surprised. Family can be the largest distractions. 🙂

Still I can relate to this, Lori — from the days when I used to have Chat (Trillian) running. My family, a friend like your friend — kept interrupting. That's how I knew "no phone calls" made a difference. I stopped using Trillian. I couldn't shut off chat because my husband needs to be able to reach me.

So I switched to a lesser use service. It's worked well.

Same thing with email… much of the communication re this family situation is via email and I won't walk away from it… so it's been a distraction.

I guess the way to say it is my boundaries are firm except when they're not… and I live alone with two cats… should be easy, and most of the time it is.

Oh Krista, you've hit on a HUGE peeve of mine, too! Hate the favor. The favor has become the bane of my existence. I'm tired of the assumption (and yes, the family does this) that my time isn't as structured, so I'm the one to ask for help. I remember threatening to get a "real" job a few years ago because I was tired of them assuming I would just drop everything and run to help them. I was even accused of not being very helpful. Damn right I'm not — not when I'm supposed to be earning money. If you pay me, I'll haul your asses around all day! Otherwise, shut the study door on the way out. LOL

Paula, it's true. "I want to play!" needs to be scheduled. I love that you and your sister were so respectful of each others' time. That's how it is when one business owner works alongside another. We just "get" it.

Two weeks ago my sister and I had an interesting experience when she was here to pick up her dogs and decided to work from here that day. We both holed up in adjoining rooms and work at our respective computers. She had more phone calls than I did. Every so often one of us would get up to stretch or get some tea, and the other knew it was okay to talk. A quick break, then back to work.

I don't play computer games, don't do Facebook. I know I spend a little too much time checking Twitter and blogs (ahem), but I try to keep that in check. Skim through tweets in the morning, then check every so often. Funny how when I'm on deadline I don't even think about Twitter.

I am also careful to stress that I work when people start treading into favor territory.

One close friend mentioned that he was asked to work late but couldn't since he had to get his daughter from day care. His words: "I thought about calling you since you're home all day anyway." I made it clear this would only be acceptable in a dire emergency!

I don't play computer games.

I definitely save at least half my work day by holding firm on boundaries.