Time is money. The axiom is especially true when you're a freelancer. No doubt you've heard all kinds of advice about how to manage your time and arrange your priorities. You know how to make lists and keep track of your progress. All that is fine when you're in an office where everyone else is in a cubicle working and distractions are few. It's not so easy when you're a free agent working alone in your home office. Sometimes all the good sense in the world can't keep you from jumping up from your desk to throw in a quick load of laundry, doing a speedy kitchen cleanup between phone calls or running to the dry cleaners. Household chores, just a few steps away, beckon all day long.

You also have to cope with the quiet. Some free agents, especially those new to the home office routine, feel lonely and adrift with no one around to help them focus on work. In that frame of mind it's easy to justify a few short errands in the middle of the afternoon.

But don't fool yourself. Just because you are working at home doesn't mean you should abandon an office routine. Planning your day down to the smallest detail will help you separate office work from housework, and allow you to focus more clearly on getting the job done. Here are a few steps you can take to make working at home more productive.

• Make the Most of Your Work Hours.
  Decide which hours of the day you want to devote completely to work, then don't waver from your schedule. Make the most of your work hours. If you have no immediate deadline, work on something for the following week, organize your email or contact prospective clients. Don't get up from your desk until you reach a scheduled break.

• Dress for Work.
  Although it's tempting to stay in your pajamas or sweat pants, it's not going to make you feel very professional.

• Go to Work.
  Even though it's only steps to your home office, say goodbye to your spouse or kids and really go to work. Making a real transition will help you feel more focused at your desk.

• Schedule Your Day.
  Don't just make a list of the things you have to get done during the day, calculate how much time each task should take and schedule them accordingly. That way you can assure yourself you will get important things done without getting off track.

• Time Yourself.
  Watch the clock as you work and note the time at the start and end of every task or job you work on. Keep a log so you can see exactly how much time you spend on various jobs and how much time you spend on break or nonbillable work. It will also help you with invoicing, especially if you bill by the hour.

• Take Stock of Your Progress.
  Do a weekly analysis of your accomplishments and take a look at the way you spend your time. This might be a good report to email to your boss to show your productivity, or it may help you figure out how to better use your time.

• Screen Your Calls.
  You can attend to any critical ones and leave the rest for when you're not under the gun.

• Don't Hibernate.
  Schedule breaks so you can clear your mind and refresh your energy.

• Socialize.
  Since you're working alone, you may miss the social contact provided by the office environment. Seek out company for lunch once a week or so. Keep in touch with clients or associates whenever possible so personal working relationships stay fresh.

• Stop Working at the Appointed Hour.
  If you're off duty and you hear the business line ring, don't answer it. If you only work one or two days a week, schedule a specific time on your off days to check email and voice mail in case something needs immediate follow-up.

If you're a parent, there are yet more distractions to work against. Here are some extra tips for making the most of your working hours:

• Hire a Sitter or Arrange for Child Care.
  There is no way you can get any meaningful amount of work done if you don't have scheduled work times.

• Take a Break.
  If you're squeezing extra work in while the kids are napping, be sure to stop a few minutes before they wake up so you can relax and shift gears on your own terms.

• Schedule One Personal Activity Each Week.
  This will help you get off the work/kids treadmill and help you remember who you are as an individual.

• Organize and Schedule Recurring Tasks.
  For instance, plan a weekly menu and go shopping once a week to save time. Investigate home grocery delivery which is free in many areas. Schedule doctor and dentist appointments together to get them out of the way.

While it may sometimes seem impossible to concentrate on work with so many chores and errands hanging over your head, a little advance planning and mental focus will help you stay motivated when you're on the job.