After extended periods filled with stress, many people start recognizing feelings of hopelessness, depression, and even detachment that can decrease quality of life and negatively impact productivity.

This condition was listed as an occupational phenomenon in 2019 by the World Health Organization and is called burnout. The Mayo Clinic defines this phenomenon as: “…a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.”

Anyone of any age can experience burnout but business owners are particularly susceptible to the severe drop in motivation and concern that this phenomenon brings. Starting a business is a risky and stressful experience. Particularly in times of economic downturn, making the current environment extremely dangerous for the mental health of business owners.

There are many ways to treat burnout. Techniques such as meditation, taking breaks, and counseling are extremely beneficial and should be used as necessary. However, one of the best ways to avoid burnout all together is to reduce stress by managing time, delegating responsibilities, and balancing work and life. To prioritize these things business owners can implement various time management techniques to stay organized. Some of these technique are:

1. Plan for the day ahead: Stay on top of your schedule by using a few minutes each evening and plan for the day ahead. Try mapping out your morning routine and stick to it.

2. Front-load your day: Mornings are a great time for creativity and brain-heavy tasks. Use the first hours of the day to tackle brainstorming and other intensive tasks and save menial duties for the afternoon and evening.

3. Maintain focus: Procrastination is a huge problem for those who are approaching burnout. In these times, resorting to detachment is easy. Set a timer and work until the time runs out to stay on track.

4. Minimize distractions: When you begin feeling overwhelmed, set aside some distraction-free time to sit and concentrate on why you do what you do and why it is important to you.

5. Delegate responsibilities: The long list of tasks that entrepreneurs have to complete is enough to drag anyone down. Take some of the weight off your shoulders by delegating to your team. Try making a list of the important things you need to tackle yourself and give the rest away.

6. Visualize your workload: From managing clients to maintaining a budget, tasks can pile up. Develop a system that helps you visualize and keep track of your daily schedule. 

7. Reflect in the evening: At the end of each day, take a few minutes to write down everything you completed, take a minute to appreciate your work, and then quickly jot down important tasks for the next day.

If you are a business owner and are ready to start prioritizing these things, try implementing various time management techniques to stay organized. Here are seven methods that are perfect for any business owner or entrepreneur:

View this Infographic by zenbusiness.com

During this difficult time of uncertainty, try to reduce stress by testing different time management techniques. Once you decide on a method that helps you, use it to run your new business without letting burnout take over.