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Ask Flex / Boss keeps piling it on

Ask Flex

Boss keeps piling work on you?

"My boss keeps piling work on me. Every time I finish something, I get two more."You asked Google. Flex answered.
Flex the robot buried under a tower of paperwork while a hand drops one more folder on top
Flex's short answer

That's what happens when you're good at your job, and it's fair to ask for a trade every time. Before you say yes to the new thing, ask which task should move to make room.

✱ The video

Rather watch? It's 61 seconds.

✱ Flex's tips

Make the pile visible.

1

Keep a running list

Every new thing that lands on you, with the date.

2

Ask for the trade

"Happy to. What should move to make room?"

3

Offer two choices

"I can do this by Thursday or that by Tuesday. Which matters more?"

4

Show your plate on Friday

A short list each week keeps the pile visible.

Try this in your own Claude or ChatGPT

Here's everything on my plate this week: [paste your list]. My boss just asked me to take on [new task]. Write a short, friendly note that says I'm happy to help and asks which of my current tasks should move to make room.

Before you paste work stuff into any AI, check what your company allows.

If the pile keeps coming back every week, that's ongoing work. The free Lab shows you how to hand that work to Claude.

Free tool

The Same Pay Calculator

More work, same pay. See what the extra work is worth in a year.

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Flex beside a balance scale: a tall stack of folders on one side, one small paycheck on the other
Inside the Lab

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✱ What people ask
What do I do when my boss gives me more work?

Ask what should come off your plate to make room. Every new yes needs a trade.

Why is my boss giving me so much work?

Often because you finish things. Being reliable gets you more, until you ask for the trade. Flex has a page on it.

How do I tell my boss I'm overwhelmed?

Bring the list and ask what can wait. Flex has a page on it.

✱ More from this pile: Boss keeps piling it on
From Nikki's blogFlex tells you how. Nikki tells you what it felt like. Read it on Clawd and Me. Read it →

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