I have a position where I'm able to work from home the majority of the time. My hours are very flexible. I can do work (sometimes, sometimes i get nothing done) while I'm home with my kids (ages 4 and 5 1/2). I really enjoy what I do and enjoy the flexibility. The problem is that I get 'assignments' that are several months long. So I have an 'assignment' to complete -which involves research and writing and interviewing people - and then the deadline is two or three months away. I tend to put things off and then feel anxious and worried as it gets closer and then work like crazy to get it done.

Does anyone have any good tips on how to manage my time effectively - so that I'm working towards completion throughout the time?

I also have problems because I tend to hyperfocus when I work, and when I'm home with the kids - I get really annoyed when they interrupt me, or if they're playing well, I'll become absorbed and not notice that I should be making lunch. How can I balance this? I almost need to be able to hyperfocus (its like all or nothing for me) to complete anything. Any ideas?

I also have problems because I tend to hyperfocus when I work, and when I'm home with the kids - I get really annoyed when they interrupt me, or if they're playing well, I'll become absorbed and not notice that I should be making lunch. How can I balance this? I almost need to be able to hyperfocus (its like all or nothing for me) to complete anything. Any ideas?

I have the same problem. It really is all or nothing for me. I either work straight through until a project is done, or I don't work at all. I've never been able to space out work over time.

This thread about procrastination might have something helpful:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67205

but it seems like nobody who has weighed in has managed to conquer this problem, although creating deadlines, keeping to do lists, and having others monitor your work seem like good techniques.

It helps to break the assignment down into smaller tasks, and assign deadlines to each of those tasks. Say you have an article due in 3 months (roughly 12 weeks). You know that you need to do research and interview people before you can actually start to write. So draw up a list of deadlines something like this:

Due in 1 week: An outline of your topic and relevant sub-topics to research.

Due in 2 weeks: A list of 5 people that you could interview and their contact info.

Due 3 days after that: Make phone calls or send emails to those people, asking for an interview. (Schedule interviews as soon as they respond to you.)

Due in 3 weeks: A list of questions and topics to discuss in each interview.

Due in 6 weeks: Complete the research that does not require interviews.

Due in 8 weeks: Finish conducting your interviews.

Due in 9 weeks: Rough draft of article.

Due in 10 weeks: 1st draft of article.

Due in 12 weeks: Final draft (revised, edited, and polished) of article.

DONE! :)

That's just a basic idea. You know better than I do what steps you need to follow and how long each one will take you. And your writing process may be different. But I think it's important to contact possible interview subjects as early as possible, because you have to wait for them to respond. In the meantime, you can do other research.

The trick is sticking to your deadlines. And don't keep them all in your head. Sit down with a calendar and write them down, in order, with due dates. Make a copy of the list and give it to someone who can keep you accountable, as if you're turning in those mini-tasks to a teacher. Good luck!