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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.
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.
The prompt · Gemini
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 Gemini chat. Leave extensions off, including Gmail and Drive.
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.
You type the request, the deadline and what you've already got on.
The assistant asks what's realistic and what could move.
You get a reply with options, a version to say out loud and a follow-up confirming what was agreed.
What happens
Use Gemini to 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.
Tools
Paste the prompt, fill the blanks, copy the draft.
- Gemini — required. Drafts from the text you paste. Nothing is sent.
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