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Push back on an impossible deadline or extra work without looking unhelpful

Your manager drops another 'quick job' on you, or a deadline that can't be met. Get a reply that says what's possible and makes them choose, not you.

Updated 17 Oct 2026

The prompt · ChatGPT

Help me push back on an impossible deadline or extra work.

The request: [what, from whom, by when]
What I've already got on: [list with deadlines]
What's realistic: [e.g. I could do it by Thursday if X moves]
What could move or be dropped: [ideas]

Ask me up to 3 short questions first if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers.

Then:
1. A short reply that's positive about the work, honest about my capacity and offers two or three options (later date, smaller version, drop something else).
2. A version I can say out loud if they come to my desk or call.
3. A follow-up message confirming what was agreed.
4. If this keeps happening, a line to raise it at my next one-to-one.

Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts, dates or results. UK English.

Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.

A short example

Fill the blanks, then paste. what, from whom, by when: a short note you already have. list with deadlines: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.

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