Ever get sidetracked by a funny/cute/OMG viral video that you simply can’t not watch?

I have – just yesterday, in fact (by this duck family and their nail-biting waddle across a busy highway; you’ve been warned) – and before I knew it I had queued up six more distracting videos that ate up 15 valuable minutes of my time.

We all need a break now and then – I’m not denying that – but the problem is that when you’re working from home (with no one breathing down your neck to keep you productive), it can be easy to get sucked into time-wasting activities that delay projects and leaving you rushing to meet deadlines.

So you’re more conscious of those things that can add up to time lost (very quickly), here are 10 typical distractions to which we fall prey that are best avoided all together.

1. Watching TV

You didn’t mean to watch the entire fourth hour of The Today Show, but somehow boozy chatterboxes Hoda and Kathie Lee reeled you in – hook, line, and sinker. You’re not the first sucker to be mesmerized by their hypnotizing banter, so don’t feel bad about it – but next time press record on the DVR and get back to work before it’s too late.

2. Downloading Music

What was meant to be a quick visit to iTunes to download a single song turns into an unexpected restructuring of your entire library when you notice that your Springsteen was somehow categorized with your Spears. Save that task for later so you’re not left feeling like, oops, you did it again.

3. Reading the News

I’m registered for CNN text alerts (which I can’t live without because I like to get the news as it happens), but too often I head to the CNN site to learn more about the breaking news and then get wrapped up in other stories of the day. To avoid this, I try to stick to a news-reading schedule wherein I allow myself to check it only twice throughout the day to avoid spending too much time catching up on all the drama of another Jackson family feud.

4. Napping

It’s tempting to take a nap when you work from home – and I actually think it’s OK if you tend to work more than the requisite eight hours – but if you need to focus, the last thing you want to do is kill several hours by falling into a deep sleep. If you must shut down, take a power nap for 20 minutes and commit yourself to getting right back to work.

5. Household Chores

I’ve battled with this distraction for years (and still do sometimes), but at some point I have to tell myself that these chores will still be there when I’m done working. I don’t like doing them, but I find that I’d rather do my chores “after work” instead of working late on a project I put off so I could fold my undies.

6. Skypeing

This time-wasting activity is a new one on the long list of Things You Shouldn’t Be Doing During the Workday. If you’re an avid Skyper, I suggest turning off the service while you’re in concentration mode so you’re not tempted to take a call. Out of Skype, out of mind.

7. Meal Planning

This may or may not be an activity that distracts you, but I’m guilty as charged. I spend so much time thinking about what I’m making for dinner, researching recipes, and browsing Pinterest for new ideas that you’d think I run a restaurant. I don’t – it’s just me and my husband – but I do enjoy spending time in the kitchen. To make sure I can afford to spend time in the kitchen, I started dedicating a few hours once a month to plan a comprehensive menu that allows us to eat our way through four whole weeks. Always knowing what’s for dinner helps me get more done during the workday.

8. Outdoor Errands

I have to be careful about the errands I run during the day because I get off track very easily. What was meant to be a quick trip to the post office turns into a stop by the library followed by a quick dip into the supermarket. To avoid this problem, I try to think of ways around the errands. For instance, I used to have to visit the bank on a regular basis to deposit my clients’ checks, but thanks to Bank of America’s new mobile deposits, that’s one errand I can cross off my list.

9. Texting

Texting back and forth is quick (which is why we love it), and it seems like it doesn’t take up a significant amount of time, but texting is deceiving. One exchange doesn’t consume many minutes, but the 20 or so exchanges that you have during any given day add ups. Unless it’s an emergency, ignore the text until you’ve freed up a few minutes to respond.

10. Playing Games

Whether it’s Solitaire or Angry Birds, games are addictive and distracting. I recommended games as a way to sharpen your mind when you’re suffering from writer’s block, but if your creativity is in tact there’s no reason to distract yourself. If you want to get in a quick round, do it during your lunch break – but watch the clock; time flies when you’re having fun.

What are some of the distractions that you encounter when working from home? Let  me know in the comments below.