How to best assert boundaries in not taking on more work?

I (SA) mostly work/directly report to an M and SM in my team, but other M’s would at times give me additional work. Bandwidth-wise I’m

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When someone reaxhes out to you. Tell them you can do it, but it will take 3-4 weeks to complete due to bandwidth issues. You can do all things but not at the same time.

If they have been the ones giving you all the work, ask them to make a list of things in the order of priority they have given them to you. Then put the number of days you think it will take to complete each task so they get a clear view of when each task will be completed.

Also rememver a workday has 8 hours, not 24. Keep that in mind when assigning workdays required to complete tasks

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On what part of God's green consulting earth does a workday have 8 hours?

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I chuckled at the 8 hr days claim. Thank you.

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You are handling it correctly. Tell them to reach out to your M if they need something reprioritized.

Also, they don’t “need” support just because they are an M. They are capable of delivering their own work as well. I am assuming you report to your current M/SM because that work stream needs more resources.

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already at my limit right now, though I do happily help the other M’s when I have the capacity.

I’m the only SA in the team (of only SM/M’s and an Intern) so I understand why they need support in many things.

I tried to assert my boundaries politely, by asking the M’s to discuss among themselves to prioritize where they need help with first. Whenever I do this, I can tell that the M is displeased/annoyed - but I can’t think of any better way to approach the situation.

Typically not long after, they’d give me more work again. And the process repeats. I’d really rather not get on anyone’s bad side, but it’s hard for me to be working direct for 4 M’s and an SM at one time.

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