[fastfredracing]

The telephone and people walking in and out of my door throughout the day have been the very most nagging, and difficult problem to solve for me since I closed my big shop and went solo. I swear to god, that I work 10 hour days in 5 minute intervals. I have been doing this for 9 years now, and I think I have reached my breaking point.
The phone is easy enough to manage , I will just simply not answer it, or take it off the hook. I bet I answered 25 phone calls today,made 15 calls, missed 10-15, and had at least 12-13 people walk in to question me about work, or for advice. This is not including delivery drivers, and suppliers.
What I am thinking of trying is to train my customers, and leave an appropriate message on the machine that says I will only answer calls between certian hours of the day. The people who walk in, however, are a tougher problem. They way my building is laid out, most people just walk right into the shop, my office is in the rear of my building, upstairs. I will sometimes lock the door, but people just do not get the hint and you would not believe how long some people will stand there and pound on the door. Unfortunately , I have windows in the front of the shop , and you can see me in there.
I know some of you are going to say hire help, but I have been there , done that, have the shirt, and am never going back.
So what do I use for a gate keeper?. I can lock up the shop , and make them enter through the office, but how can I let people know that I am unavailable at certain times? A sign?, maybe leave a note pad or something for messages?
I don't want you guys to think I am a whiney beotch or anytihing, but just imagine you are in your garage trying to assemble your 915 and you get interrupted 10-15 times, well that is every minute of every day of my life, and I cannot seem to turn it off. It makes my work life complete misery and chaos, and I find myself frustrated and angry most of the day, and that is not the person I am at all. I don't want to live like this anymore.
Long post, hope the brain trust has some good ideas. Thanks for listening.