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Summers can be challenging at my house. My children are 12 and 9 years old, but they still need time and attention, which can make it hard to work from home. While they can keep themselves busy for a few hours, eventually the bickering, whining, and calling "MOM!" starts.

This summer I vowed it would be different. After implementing some new strategies, I have been able to modify my schedule so that I work only two, maybe three hours a day. Not only has this schedule given me more time with the kids, but I have been more productive than when I worked four to six hours a day! You can bet that I'll keep this schedule when school starts!

Here's my formula for working two hours a day from home:

1) Choose a 2-hour workday friendly job or business:

There are many great ways to earn an income from home, but not all can be done in two hours a day. When choosing a work-at-home option, avoid ones in which the pay is wage-based (i.e. hourly pay or salary). Instead, choose options that earn passive or residual income. Online ventures that sell digital materials (software, ebooks), memberships or affiliate products are good examples of passive income. Internet-based network marketing programs offer residual income.

2) Get organized:

Project management is key to successfully working only two hours a day. You need to list all tasks that need to be done and assign each task a day that it needs to be done, with four to six tasks per day depending on how involved they are. If you have an involved project that requires many tasks, write down the tasks, not just the project. For example, today my tasks include drafting this article (completing and submitting it is for tomorrow), updating content and adding affiliate links on two of my website pages, and picking two articles for this week's newsletter. You'll notice that I don't have complete projects such as write article, update website or write newsletter. Instead, each project is broken down into smaller tasks that I work on through the week.

Further, you should focus on tasks that actually make you money. Too often people are busy with tasks that seem like work, but don't directly make money such as checking email every few minutes or shuffling papers. To work only two hours a day you need pack the most buck-earning punch into your time.

I use a computer-based program to help me keep all my tasks, appointments and contacts organized. It allows me to have a master list of all the projects and the tasks that need to be done, but it also shows the tasks I need to complete on the day they need to be done. I can easily move, modify, add or delete tasks as needed. I can also look at my week and month to see what tasks I have coming up. This has made a huge difference in my productivity in that big projects are actually getting done in a timely manner. And it keeps me on task. The faster I get through the list, the faster I'm done.

3) Use systems to automate as much as possible:

The more you automate, the less you have to do. Autoresponders, audio recordings, distribution services and voicemail are a few systems that can make your life easier. For example, I use Google Adwords to help drive traffic to my website. I use an autoresponder to sign people up for my newsletter and deliver freebies to subscribers. I use an audio recording to deliver home business information so I don't have call everyone. I only call those who indicate they want to join or get more information after listening to the recording. I use an article distribution service to deliver my articles to thousands of website and newsletter owners in one click. Once these services are set up, they run on their own with only a little maintenance from me. All this does cost money, but in terms of the time it saves, it's well worth the expense.

4) Delegate:

I'm a do-it-yourselfer and have been slow to enlist help. But recently I hired someone to help me make changes to my website. It wasn't a big project and I could have done it in a couple of hours. Yet for over six months it didn't get done. So I outsourced it and it was done in a week.

The best things to delegate are the tasks that need to be done, but don't directly make money such as copying and pasting materials, making appointments, doing research etc. The key is to hire an assistant (virtual or otherwise) that has the skills for the project and good references. You can find many qualified VA's by networking at work-at-home websites, visiting freelance sites such as eLance or searching on a search engine.

The same goes for home management. Considering enlisting the family's help in cleaning and other household chores. Or hire someone.

5) Manage interruptions:

Interruptions come in all forms from children to laundry to email. One big change I made was in how often I checked my email. Since I run my business online, I thought I had to check my email all the time just incase something needed my attention. I've discovered that checking my email twice, maybe three times a day still allows me to deal with issues that arise, but gives me more time since I'm not distracted by messages.

Phone calls were another distraction. I've learned to check the caller ID and resist answering the phone if it isn't important. Many phone companies bundle this service with other features to make it very affordable. The trick is to not answer when you're working. People who need to reach you can leave a message, which like email is only checked two or three times a day. If you feel people need to be able to reach you in emergencies, you can answer when they call (using caller ID), get distinctive ring on your phone and give the number only to people you trust, or give them your cell phone number.

Finally, if you have kids at home, keep them busy with activities and negotiate fun time. My kids know that if I can work uninterrupted for a couple of hours, they can have my total focus the rest of the day.

A mentor of mine once told me, "It's not the time you put in your business, it's the business you put in your time." I have certainly found that to be true in my effort to work only two hours a day. By maximizing your time, focusing on the most important tasks, and eliminating distractions, you can efficiently and effectively earn an income on only a few hours a day. While it can take time to create an income that can be sustained in a few hours a day, it can certainly be built in a few hours a day around a regular job. And once attained, you'll be free to pursue hobbies, spend time with family, and have more fun in life.

About the author: Leslie Truex, aka The Pajama Mama has been helping people work at home in a job or home business since 1998. Visit Work At Home Success to get your free Jobs Online Toolkit with a subscription to the WAHS Jobs and News.