One more way is just to reassign values if there is a need:
def hours_occupied(date)
availability, focus = get_work_hours(date), "work"
availability, focus = get_family_hours(date), "family" unless availability
availability, focus = get_friend_hours(date), "friend" unless availability
end
or using an iterator:
def hours_occupied(date)
availability = focus = nil
%w(work family friend).each {|type| availability, focus = self.send(:"get_#{type}_hours", date), type unless availability}
end