My sis taught me a slick way to handle overload at work

She said to suggest a later time for new tasks instead of just saying no. It keeps bosses happy and my schedule sane.

3 comments

3 Comments

Tried that once and ended up panicking like "uh, maybe next fiscal year?" My sister makes it sound so smooth, but I just come off like I'm stalling for time. I mean, my version of "managing up" is just a lot of nervous smiling while I check my calendar. Idk, maybe it's just me but I always feel like I'm bad at the polite pushback thing.

flores.jana1mo ago

Oh man, I know that feeling. What helped me was having a go-to phrase ready, like "I can get that to you by Friday, does that work?" It frames it as a choice, not a no. Takes the panic out of it.

elliotc101mo ago

Read a management book that called this "managing up." It said pushing back on deadlines is better than missing them. Your sis is right, it's a solid move.