One question to clear up your work schedule

❓ Today’s tip: Don’t say “no;” ask “when?”

“Just say no” can be useful productivity advice if you actually feel empowered to refuse your boss’s requests. But as Nir Eyal points out on Forge, for many of us, that’s not exactly realistic — which is why you should let your boss figure out what you should say no to.

Eyal advises sitting down with your manager and looking over your calendar and responsibilities together, so they can see how much of your time is already accounted for: “Now you can ask, ‘Is there anything not on my schedule, and when would you like me to work on those tasks?’” The way you prioritize your time affects everyone you work with, so why not streamline things for all involved by bringing them into the process?

🕐 More from Forge on prioritizing your time:

Color Code Your Calendar, Already
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A New Way to Schedule Your Workweek
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When Planning Your Week, Emphasize ‘White Space’
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