Often, keeping lists of errands can eliminate wasted trips for things that we forgot. Try to combine as many errands as possible in a single trip, or combine errands in the same general location. Schedule a specific day each week for errand-running, so that you get in the habit of planning around that day. If you're like me, your mother probably told you that it was rude to hang up on callers, even sales-callers. Your mother, however, wasn't raised in the age of telemarketing, when one can receive four or five calls in a single day.
Few distractions are as tempting as housework.
However, if I interrupt myself in the middle of an article, it may take me a long time to get back to where I was. The same applies to vacuuming, washing dishes, dusting, etc. Another option is to hire household help. I'm quite serious about this. Teach others to respect your time.