The week has only just begun, but the pressure is already beginning to mount. Whether you have a lot going on personally, professionally or both, navigating your way through a jam-packed week can be a challenge. Use the following five tips to stay in control of your week and end Friday on a high note.

Five Ways to Minimize Stress and Maximize Your Time

1. Get Up Earlier

Dragging yourself out of bed ahead of your alarm clock might not sound appealing, but you can do a lot by adding an extra half hour or hour back into your day. Getting things done before you would typically be awake will feel amazing and will allow you to start your day with a sense of accomplishment, instead of bogged down by stress.

2. Start Your Day With a Task List

Mentally trying to keep track of everything you need to accomplish by the end of the day or week is a recipe for disaster, so write your responsibilities down and organize them into a to-do list each morning. Take it one step further by grouping items into categories to save time by completing similar tasks at once.

3. Delegate Responsibilities

Savvy people know the only way to get through a busy week is to ask for help. Look through your list to find tasks that do not need to be completed by you and delegate them accordingly. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised at the number of things that can be accomplished when you divide and conquer.

4. Minimize Distractions

Staying on task can be difficult when your phone rings off the hook, people constantly stop by your desk and you feel the need to respond to every email as soon as it lands in your inbox. Close your office door, put your phone on silent and turn your email notification off, so you can work without interruption. Make the most of your day by scheduling certain times for meetings and returning messages, instead of having to stop working every two minutes.

5. Make Time for Yourself

Running full steam ahead every day quickly leads to burnout, so get through your busy week by making yourself a priority. Stay energized by eating right, finding time for regular workouts and getting enough sleep. When you’re mentally and physically exhausted, stress levels tend to rise, but you can avoid this by refusing to run yourself ragged.

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