While eagerly waiting the arrival of my new computer, something my husband said got me thinking… switching over won’t be a big deal. I’ll only need about a half a day to install all software and then I’m up and running. All my files reside on an external hard drive. That’s what got me thinking.

If anything happens to that hard drive, I’m out of luck. Before I got the hard drive, I backed up everything on discs. I guess I could do that again but it’s an all day job and takes 80 bazillion cds to store all the data. Not the best use of time and resources.

Are you one of those people who doesn’t back up their data?

This is often one of those neglected.. "I don’t have time right now"… put it on the back burner things to do later.. Just imagine the time you would waste not to mention grief if you lost your data. Not sure what to store? This Microsoft article gives you a nice starter checklist.

Another thing my techie recommended I backup my Application Data folder. So once a week I back it up on the external drive… which brings me back to finding an effective way to back up the data on the external hard drive.

So I’m looking into using an online storage service.

Yesterday on Twitter @caroldeckert said she was still trying to restore her computer files since Sunday using Carbonite Online Backup System. I definitely want a service that won’t take days to restore data. My mentor and mastermind partner Kirt Christensen uses and recommended Mozy.com

Before I commit to Mozy, I like to hear your two cents on how you back up your data. What do you use? and how happy are you with it?

All your time management efforts will come to a screaming halt if don’t control interruptions. You need to get tough about your office space especially with summer around the corner. If you lay the ground rules now, maintaining them throughout the year will be easier.

First, you need to respect your time. Treat it like your most valuable asset. Until you respect your time, nobody else will either.

Establish set business hours. Those business hours create an "invisible" boundary between home space and office space.

Try to choose a room with a door for your office. Put your office hours on the door. Close the door when you work on your identified high profit actions. Not all homes offer the luxury of an extra room for the office.

When I first started my business, the office was in an open area that naturally invited interruptions. I printed a sign with my business hours and another with "Mom at Work." When the Mom at Work sign showed up on the desk, it meant "don’t even think about coming into the office space, talk to me etc". In other words, "Don’t Disturb" me.

Even though my office now has a door, sharing the space with hubby presents a new set of "interrupting" challenges. We came up with non-verbal ways of letting each other know not to disturb while working. I use the "brain" stress reliever toy. If my "brain" is sitting on the desk corner, it means don’t talk or ask questions etc.

You may need to hire a babysitter for a few hours to watch the children so you can devote a few "concentrated" hours on high profit activities. For older children, look into some type of day camp. Allyce plays cello and loved going to the Cleveland Music School Settlements’ summer music camp.

If you know another home office person with children, you can do a "swap" watch. Once a week, agree to watch each other’s children for a couple hours. This will give both of you at least a couple hours of total uninterrupted time each week.

Treat your business seriously. If you treat your business like a hobby, so will your family. Your family will take clues from you on how to react and behave about your home office business. It will take some training, but let your family know the consequence of the lost money they cause every time they interrupt you. And don’t forget to also let them know when they experience the benefits that resulted from the uninterrupted time.

	Ann Rusnak - The Time Diva Entrepreneur Time Strategist
Ann Rusnak, guides frazzles, frustrated solopreneurs to gain more control and confidence. Discover how you too can get control over the clock with her free tips and strategies at http://www.Just15Minutes.com Connect with me at: Twitter Facebook

Time Management: Five Quick and Easy ways to Limit Interruptions

Quick Time Management Tip #1

Interruptions steal up your time like a thief. Time management is nearly impossible when interruptions occur everywhere. Time management teaches you to allowing time for interruptions. This is fine up to a point. Unexpected things will happen and interrupt your work flow or something takes longer than planned. However there are certain types of interruptions that can inhibit or even destroy your ability to follow your plans.

Here are five simple ways to limit interruptions so you can accomplish what you set out to do each day.

1. Hang an Available/Not Available Sign.When you need blocks of super focused time, hang a Not Available singn in your working area. Better yet, if you have an office with a door, close the door while you’re working. Let everyone know not to disturb you when the sign is posted. Likewise, schedule certain periods for handling questions, returning phone calls and email.

2. Turn off Technology: Get rid of or turn off Instant Messaging. Turn off email too.Set a time limit for internet browsing. Turn you phone off when working on your projects. Let voice mail handle your calls. Program your voice mail message with times you will return calls. Return calls and emails at a later time when it’s more convenient.

3. Say No to low priority requests for help.

4. Get Firm about Unscheduled Visits. There is something about working at home that people think they can stop by and visit. Ask friends and family to schedule visits with you during business hours, rather than just stopping by.

5. Go Into Hiding . Leave the office if you find yourself tempted to answer the phone and check email. Don’t tell anyone where you are going.

	Ann Rusnak - The Time Diva Entrepreneur Time Strategist
Ann Rusnak, is the author of "Flip Your Time" a step-by-step system that shows you how to take control of the clock so you can increase your profits and spend more time with your family and friends and experience the luxury of time.