Tips on how to successfully work from home (Source: Forbes)

Get organized. Maintaining balance is one of the most difficult aspects of working at home, because the work is always right there staring you in the face. Get organized by creating filing systems, schedules and to-do lists.

Have a set work space. Designate a specific place for a home office--and store all work-related files, reference materials and supplies there. Try not to make it near a bed or a TV, Spence adds.

Plan your day. This will help you minimize your distractions and maximize your true productive times. For example, many people eat a small breakfast on their way to the office, but when at home, you may be tempted to have a bigger breakfast which may slow you down for your early morning meeting. Or you may normally get off at 5 pm, but the kids come home at 4 pm, so you may need a shorter lunch so you can get all your work done.

Be computer savvy. Since most of your work will be done on your computer, you will need to be computer savvy. You should know everything from learning how to use different software, to updating programs and keeping your computer running smoothly.

Avoid home distractions. Never underestimate the gravitational pull of the fridge and your comfy bed. Pets, TV and family members are just a few other distractions you’ll encounter when you start working at home. Planning will be key.

Limit the number of times you check e-mail. You might find yourself constantly checking e-mail because you’re worried about being out of the loop—but while it’s important to stay connected, spending too much time on e-mail might distract you from more important tasks.

Brush up on your communication skills. Because you’ll be doing your work remotely, you’ll need to have excellent communication skills. Often you won’t have the visual and verbal cues that normally help guide a conversation. Although cell phones, instant message, and software like Skype make it easy for people to stay in touch, the majority of your communication will be done via e-mail. You will need to make sure that you are able to covey what you mean clearly and concisely.

Set office hours. Make sure to create a time slot for each of the day’s activities. This helps with communicating to others when your work-time and play-time is. If you have small children you may need to schedule your work around their naps or another caregiver’s schedule, so that you can have a good chunk of time to work uninterrupted.

Take breaks. When making your schedule, you might want to consider working in smaller spurts, and allowing yourself time to get up from the computer to stretch. Without a water cooler and co-workers around, you may forget to take time away from your desk. When you take breaks, you'll be more productive.

Don’t handle personal tasks during work hours. Please don't think that the laundry or the fact that your relatives wanted to spend time with you since you're at home is not going to tempt you. Make sure that you are focused on the best and proper use of your time during your work hours.

Communicate your work schedule to friends and family. Communicate with your loved ones that you’re working and ask them not to call you unless it is urgent. Make your office hours known and clear to the family, and make sure they respect your working hours. Don't be afraid to defend your work time.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Working at home tends to lend itself to a sedentary lifestyle, not to mention the proximity of the kitchen and refrigerator, making weight gain a problem for many telecommuters. Make sure to schedule time for regular exercise, keep healthy snacks around the house and remember to drink a lot of water.

Be a perpetual student and prepare like a teacher. Learn from other successful home-based workers and practice what is working for them while still researching what works for you.

Keep the supplies you use often within reach. When you must leave your desk to find supplies or files, you waste time and get distracted easily. Store supplies near the place where you’ll use them.

Set up a Skype-friendly environment. For many people who work from home, Skype calls are regular, and necessary. Keep this in mind as you set up shop, and make sure your work-space looks professional and pleasant.

Conduct business during traditional hours. Make your phone calls during normal business hours and keep administrative work for after-hours.

Don’t discuss your personal life. It might be easy or tempting to discuss your personal activities with business colleagues while you’re at home, but keep all work-related conversations professional.

Avoid multitasking and stay focused. It’s easy to start one project and then bounce to another without finishing the first.

Don’t skimp on equipment. It’s important to make sure you have all the equipment you need to run your business, including a fast computer, a scanner, printer, copier and fax, and a reliable backup system.

Stay connected. Make sure that you’re readily available via e-mail, phone, text, instant message, Skype and/or conference call.