It takes a special type of individual to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor. The vast majority of people – while perhaps wishing to be self-employed – will never take the necessary steps to begin their dreams, let alone succeed once they initiate the business. Given that many businesses fail despite hard work and determination, it shouldn’t be surprising that focus and productivity are crucial to success.

Many entrepreneurs – particularly those operating digital enterprises- work from home. Whether it’s an online store, affiliate marketing enterprise or something entirely different, being on-task is critical. As such, let’s examine 4 tips that can help entrepreneurs be more productive when working from home.

Build a Routine

Working from home can feel somewhat like a vacation: without the hustle and bustle of traditional employment, nobody is there to breathe down your neck and make you work. However, successful entrepreneurship requires being able to stay on-task and to do so consistently. The easiest way to ensure this is to build a routine and a schedule that is followed daily. Knowing when you’ll be pinging your website for sale orders, following up with customers and even taking breaks each day can minimize distractions and improve productivity.

Dedicate Your Work Space

The lines between home and work easily become blurred: it doesn’t make it any easier when the same places you sleep and eat at are where you work. As such, entrepreneurs need to dedicate specific work spaces for work only, to ensure greater focus and fewer distractions. Whether this be a home office, a semi-closed space in the bedroom or a desk in the garage, keeping your work space separate and dedicated will naturally improve productivity.

Shut Down Distractions

The overall environment of the home is enough of a distraction for those who work from there, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Everything from cell phones and television to social media can find a way to wiggle into your daily routines, distracting you and destroying your productivity. Setting hard rules about the use of these devices during the work day is crucial if you want to maximize productivity, so be sure to shut down unnecessary gadgets and restrict yourself from accessing digital distractions during business hours.

Develop Coping Mechanisms

One of the biggest downsides of working from home is the lack of person-to-person interaction you’ll have on a daily basis. Friends and co-workers become scarce in such a setting, and this can have a serious impact on your long-term mood and mental health. Being productive involves being happy – and having ways to mitigate the loneliness of at-home work is crucial. From joining online communities to being more active in your community through volunteer opportunities and simple social gatherings, be sure not to neglect yourself when seeking to improve productivity.

Whether you’re pinging your website with updates or fielding customer calls, working from home offers flexibility. That flexibility can be a negative in some situations, which is why improving productivity requires effort. These four tips are but a few of the many steps you can take to gain the most efficiency while working from home.