Yes, this will get people in an uproar but, and here's the disclaimer, No villagers were harmed during the play of this game...

If I have someone who will not stay on task I put them in time out. If the fire is not lit, I will have someone gather the necessay items and just before the flames go "WHOMP!" I drop the bad villager right on top. Then the fire goes, pinning them in. They keep wanting to do stuff but are stuck. I will leave them there until they have learned their lesson or say "Mr. Guiding Hand, Can I come out now? I'll be a good villager. I will work and work and work..." But if they say "How much longer???", it's 10 more minutes for them! NO COMPLAINING ALLOWED IN MY VILLAGE, UNDERSTAND???!!!