1. The “I’m So Swamped—With More Fun Things” Person
Let’s say someone on your team asks you to put together a big report she’s responsible for because she’s just swamped with a million other projects. And then that person goes out for a two-hour lunch break while you’re deep into his PowerPoint. That’s ridiculous—yet not that all uncommon if you’ve established yourself as someone who’s happy to help a co-worker out.
And yes, you might be really mad the first time someone asks you to take care of something, only to turn around and spend the entire afternoon schmoozing with people in the kitchen. That’s understandable. But before you snap, take a deep breath and turn to your (packed) calendar.
The Response
Respond to the request with a simple email that says, “I’d love to help, but I have to take care of X, Y, and Z first. If my schedule clears up this week, I’ll definitely let you know how I can pitch in.”
This short message can go a long way with a co-worker by reminding him or her that you also have a lot to get done in a limited amount of time—and that pitching in would be adding significantly more to your plate. If you assume this person’s somewhat lazy, and not a monster, this helps in getting your point across.