Learn to use AI at work, with Claude. Yes, at your 9-to-5 desk job. Free in the 9-5 Survivors Lab

Ask Flex / Boss keeps piling it on

Ask Flex

Is it OK to tell your boss you're overwhelmed?

Yes. Bring a list.

What you say

"I'm drowning. I can't keep up. I'm so sorry."

"Here's everything on my plate this week. Which of these can wait?"

What your boss hears

"Something's wrong, and I don't know what to fix."

"Got it. Let's push two of these to next week."

An example. Your boss, your call.

Flex's short answer

Yes, and it goes best when you walk in with a list of everything on your plate and ask which things can wait. A list turns "I'm drowning" into a problem your boss can actually help solve.

✱ Flex's tips

Before you talk to your boss.

1

Write it all down first

Every task, even the small ones. The list shows how much you have.

2

Add rough times

"About 6 hours a week" is easier to hear than "a lot."

3

Bring one clear ask

"Which of these can wait?" beats "I need help."

4

Put it in writing too

A short, calm email after the talk, so it is on record.

Try this in your own Claude or ChatGPT

Here's everything on my plate at work this week: [paste your tasks]. Sort it into due this week, can wait, and not really my job. Then write a short, calm email to my boss that shares the list and asks which things can wait.

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

The Same Pay Calculator

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

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

Learn this in the Lab, free

A free group where you learn to use Claude for the repeat parts of your job: email, reports, forms. Start with a 15-minute chat that maps what Claude can do in your job.

  • Free
  • No coding
  • Works in Claude
Start free on Skool
✱ What people ask
How do I tell my boss I'm overwhelmed with work?

Stick to facts. What's on your plate, about how long it takes, and one clear ask about what can move.

How do I professionally tell my boss I'm overwhelmed?

Put it in writing first, short and calm, then talk. Lead with the work, not an apology.

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. 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 →

Want to hand this to Claude?

Start in the Lab with the free 9-to-5 Job Triage: a 15-minute chat that maps what Claude can do in your job. Everything inside is free.

Start free on Skool