Stress and time management – Need of the moment

A corporate environment or a home office, no matter where you are: for an entrepreneur, stress is de rigueur. There is simply no escape! Stress can be described as anything that disturbs his general sense of well-being. Although work overload, lack of motivation, a professional setback or a simple lack of physical exercise can cause stress, the most common cause is the dreaded “deadline”! Therefore, today’s entrepreneur needs to practice both stress and time management for the sake of self-preservation.

Among other things, an entrepreneur is under constant pressure to generate income to maintain the financial health of the business, and that’s as sure a recipe for stress as any. While a little stress is good as a motivator, staying in overdrive 24/7 will only lead to anxiety and frustration. Sooner or later you have to eliminate stress from your life or learn to deal with it. This is where stress and time management come to the rescue.

Learn to manage time. Before you leave home for work, plan your schedule for the day in advance. This will help you prepare for your daily business activities. Work on the most important or difficult tasks during “prime time.” Strive to get things right on the first try. Efficiency at work means wasting less time and effort, and it also means less stress. If phone calls are an annoying interruption during business hours, turn on your answering machine so it’s on duty but not available. While you should work a well-oiled schedule, keep it flexible enough to handle emergencies or special events. When you make sure everything is planned for the day, you’ll worry less and be in control.

Identify time wasters. Spot your four or five big time wasters and develop ways to beat them. For example, casual phone calls and visits, small talk, excessive paperwork, procrastination, lack of delegation, unclear objectives, poor scheduling, and a lack of self-discipline are time-stealers. Deal with them to avoid stress.

Stay in touch with people. If you have a work at home business then this is for you. A home alone job may be your dream, but remember, it comes with being alone, and that can be hard to deal with. Balance your solitude with work-related or social activities that provide frequent contact with others. This will keep your spirits up – the best stress reliever in the world!

Make fitness a priority. You need a well-exercised body and mind to be able to think creatively. Losing yourself in a pleasurable physical activity is the best way to escape the routine. Jogging, brisk walking, team sports – take your pick. If you can’t afford to go on vacation, at least take a day off from time to time.

Separate your workplace from your home. Your home and office can exist under one roof, but make sure there are “walls” between them. Sure, using a cardboard box as a filing cabinet will save you a few bucks, but not having adequate workspace and supplies not only wastes time but also creates stress. Therefore, designing an adequate work area is essential for both stress and time management. Make sure you have a separate business area, with a dedicated entrance for customers. Consciously entering an area designated exclusively for work separates “being at home” from “being at the office.” Good news for you: In addition to the mental and physical comfort of having a separate office, you can claim IRS tax deductions.

Beware. Having yourself as the BOSS can be exciting, satisfying, and rewarding. However, it can get lonely and stressful. Therefore, learn to balance your personal and professional life. After all, it is your business and it depends solely on your well-being to survive!

If you’re still looking for some advice, check out the following. The people of provide training programs and advice to managers and business owners on stress and time management. Books like “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by and “Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” can be of great help. E-books related to stress and time management are also available at

Resolve to deal with stress today!