If we are pushed by our bosses or peers to give our time or energy beyond what’s acceptable, we need to make a decision based on the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. acronym, which distills the problem and makes us look at all angles and directions.

1. Evaluate: Objectively assess the facts of the request.
2. My Story: Remove false assumptions based on our own fears and anxieties.
3. Priorities: Consider how the task aligns with our responsibilities, the company’s goals and personal needs.
4. Opportunities: What we gain from the request, and how it advances our career.
5. Who: The status of the person asking for the favour/request/work.
6. Expectations: Clarifying the person’s expectations and align them with your own.
7. Real: We all get the same number of hours in a day, and need to get real about the implications of our decision.