More work lands on you
How to say no to extra work
“Happy to. Which of these should I stop to make room for it?”
It sounds like a yes, and it puts the trade-off back where it belongs. The person asking decides what gives, instead of you quietly dropping something later.
What is happening
A new piece of work arrives on top of a full list, and the person asking expects a yes. Saying no outright sounds unhelpful. Saying yes to everything means something quietly fails later.
Have your current list in mind, or on screen, so the question has something to point at.
If they push back
They may hope it can simply be squeezed in. They might say:
“Can’t you just fit it in?”
Stay helpful, and keep the choice with them:
“I can, if something moves. Which one would you like me to pause?”
The part this page cannot settle
There are two other ways to say this, one softer and one firmer. Which one fits depends on who is asking, how full your week really is, and how often it has happened. Choosing well is most of the work.
The Complete Lines has all three for this moment and for every other one, sorted by what is happening to you. If you have a meeting about it coming up, the first page helps you work out what to say before you walk in, and it is free.