When extra work shows up, I pause before reacting and take inventory. Then I respond with: “Here’s what I’m working on what should I shift to make room for this?” To navigate this well, I: • Use a running task list to track my workload • Frame limits as prioritization, not resistance • Follow up in writing to confirm what was discussed • Send weekly recaps like: “Here’s what I’m prioritizing let me know if anything needs to shift” • Stay aware of team norms around pacing vs. urgency Boundaries aren’t blocks they’re bridges to clarity. Protecting your capacity is how you lead well and last.

To set boundaries effectively, communicate openly with your manager. Politely explain your current workload and how additional projects may impact quality or deadlines. Suggest prioritising tasks together to ensure alignment on goals. Be assertive but respectful, focusing on productivity rather than refusal. Setting clear limits while showing commitment helps maintain balance and prevents burnout, ensuring you deliver your best work on high-priority assignments.

If your manager keeps assigning extra projects, you can set boundaries by clearly and respectfully explaining your current workload and how it affects your ability to take on more. Use timelines or task lists to show your capacity, and ask which tasks should be prioritized or reassigned. Offer solutions that maintain quality without overextending yourself, and suggest regular check-ins to align expectations and workload moving forward. This approach shows responsibility while protecting your time and energy.

You don't need to be a hero. You need to be honest. Try this: "I want to deliver high-quality work. With my current load, taking this on means X gets delayed. Are we aligned on that?" That's not pushback. That's LEADERSHIP. Setting boundaries isn't saying no—it's saying yes to doing the right things well.

1. Assess and Communicate Your Workload: • Document and Track • Open Dialogue 2. Prioritize and Offer Alternatives: • Set Priorities • Suggest Alternatives 3. Be Assertive and Confident: • Use "I" Statements • Be Prepared and Confident 4. Offer Solutions and Seek Support: • Offer Solutions • Seek Support 5. Follow Up and Reflect: • Follow Up • Reflect and Learn

Oh, I’ve been there! When my manager keeps piling on tasks, I don’t just say yes and struggle. I list everything I’m currently juggling, all marked as urgent, and ask, “Which one do you want me to prioritize?” Then, I gently remind them that focusing on one means the others will have to wait. This does two things: it sets boundaries without saying no outright, and it puts the pressure back on them to decide what’s most important. Every time I’ve done this, my manager has chosen the task that’s causing the most stress and understood that I can’t do it all at once. No awkward confrontations, just clear communication, smart negotiating, and keeping my sanity intact.

The most important step you can take is having a direct and honest conversation with your manager. They’re there to support you and want to see you succeed. It’s possible your manager isn’t fully aware of the scope of your workload, so it’s important to clearly communicate your bandwidth. By providing that visibility, you create the opportunity to prioritize effectively, align on expectations, and focus your efforts where they’ll have the most impact.

Here’s how to set boundaries with a manager who keeps assigning extra work: ✅ Have a calm, honest conversation: Say, “I want to give each project the attention it deserves. Can we align on what should take priority?” ✅ Show your workload visually: Use a task tracker or list to show what’s already on your plate. ✅ Use the “yes, but” approach: “Yes, I can take this on—but it would delay X. Should I re-prioritize?” ✅ Protect your bandwidth: Be clear on what’s sustainable, and say no with context, not confrontation. Boundaries aren’t resistance—they’re clarity. And clarity helps you both win.

I’d have an honest conversation with my manager—let them know what I’m currently handling, ask about priorities, and explain what might be at risk if more gets added. It’s about being respectful but clear with what’s realistic.

In Real Estate, Hustle Is Expected—but Boundaries Are Essential As a sales professional, it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying “yes” to everything. New listings, urgent client requests, extra tasks—it all adds up quickly. I’ve learned that constantly piling on more without checking in with my own capacity doesn’t serve anyone, least of all my clients. I’ll say something like: “I’m currently focused on A, B, and C—can we talk about what should take priority if I take this on?” It’s not about saying no—it’s about delivering my best work, not just more work. Real estate is a people business, and strong relationships start with honest, professional boundaries.