If you work from home, you can probably write this post for me. Those endless distractions presented by working in one’s nest are one of our biggest occupational hazards.

After you do it for awhile, you develop strategies for handing interruptions from family and friends and even houseguests whose visits are lengthy. I have come to believe it’s the diversions we create for ourselves that cost us the most productivity.

Now, a few minutes spent stretching, folding laundry, arranging a nice vase of flowers, or loading the dishwasher can be the pause that refreshes. You need to change occasionally during the work day. But then there are those little chores whose completion creeps from minutes into hours spent doing something other than work. I’m all for balance but you cross the line when a little breather takes up more than half a day.

Here’s a to not do list for the work day:

1. Sort things for distribution to charities like Goodwill.

2. Rototill the garden.

3. Give dog a bath.

4. Write holiday greeting card messages to family and friends.

5. Watch daytime T.V.

6. Reroof the garage.

7. Research holiday options online.

8. Curl up on the bed with a good book.

9. Change out a shower head or toilet seat (because you just know where that will lead).

10. Make new curtains for the guest room.