One of the biggest adjustments for me when I quit my "day job" and started working on the internet full-time was figuring out how to stay focused.

There are so many distractions when you're working at home - the TV, kids, household chores and (my biggest one) getting sidetracked on the internet and spending an hour or two going down a rathole that has nothing to do with the task at hand.

The Zen Habits blog recently asked its readers for their best tips for working from home and there are a lot of good suggestions in the comments. If you have a hard time staying focused, it's worth the time to read through them - you'll probably find lots of good ideas.

As for me, there are three main things that helped me to focus, all of which are mentioned by other people in the comments on Zen Habits:

1. Set a schedule. I work more or less the same hours I used to work at my job. The difference is I can not work when I need to, but I make that choice - I don't let other things take precedence.
2. Plan my day/week/month/year. I use the Getting Things Done system for keeping track of what I'm working on, and I always have a list of projects & tasks that need to be done. If I ever find myself wondering what to do, I can just pick something that is outstanding so I don't wander off into unproductive territory.
3. Dress the part. I don't wear the shirt & tie I used to (and I avoid them like the plague!) but I also don't work in sweatpants and a grubby T-shirt. I get more done when I feel like I'm "at work".