When to Say No to Boring, Bad Work Projects - The Muse

When to Say No to Boring, Bad Work Projects - The MuseWhen to Say No to Boring, Bad Work Projects Your boss asks you take on a new project, but youd really rather pass. Thats because- from where youre sitting- it seems unnecessary. And youre busy enough with tasks that actually mean something. Yet, even knowing this, you struggle to just say no. While a well-meaning friend might tell you to pick your battles, that advice is easier to give than it is to apply. You want your manager to have a favorable impression of you, but even more importantly, you want to be on the same page regarding your role. Questioning an assignment isnt simply about maximizing your time Its about clarifying your priorities. Thats why its so important to properly select when youll pitch in and when youll push back. Heres a handy little guide, so youll know what to do the next time youre asked to do something that looks like a waste of timeWhen You Should Do ItIf Youve Never Done it BeforeYou cant judge it unti l youve tried it is true for more than that obscure dish at a potluck. Trying new things is how you build your skill set, and it could be that youll be particularly adept at (or really enjoy) that seemingly random task. Its shortsighted to think something that requires basic skills automatically cant teach you anything new. It could be filling in a gap thatll help qualify you for other opportunities, or complement the work youre doing.Truth talk Is it possible that itll be as worthless as you imagined? Yes. But you can onlyturn something down sight unseen so often. Say yes this go-round, and next time, youll have a leg to stand on when you suggest your time could be better spent elsewhere.If Its Really Important to Your BossYou know that pet project youve been eyeing thats bedrngnis 100% in your job description? Well, if youre known for saying Thats not my job- your manager could respond to your proposal using that same retort. Taking on that extra (kinda dull) project only builds g oodwill between you and your boss. Even if theres no dream project youre saving up capital for, being there in a pinch still counts. My grandfather used to say, Help when its needed, not when its convenient. For all that you dont want every crummy project dumped in your lap because youre known for saying, OK, fine, you do want your team to know that youre someone they can turn to when they need help- even if the task at hand isnt glamorous.If Its Part of Your JobYes, this is worth mentioning, no matter how obvious it may seem. Everyone has aspects of their job theyre less excited about, but its unrealistic to think you can ignore them. While you should be aya to let your manager know that youre interested in more challenging projects, if youre in a junior role thats set up as a catch all for grunt work, completing it is part of your job. So, keep an eye out for how you might innovate or additional ways to contribute, but know that paying your dues is one of the steps on the ladder t o advancement.When You Should Push BackWhen You Truly Dont Have the TimeIts unrealistic to think a manager knows exactly whats on each and every employees plate at a given moment. Even if shes in the loop as far as the scope of your work and key projects, she cant read your mind (or in this case, your to-do list). She wont know that those other small tasks have actually taken you three straight days and you dont have the bandwidth for a new project- unless you tell her.One of my favorite lines to use in this situation is Could you help me prioritize my project list? That way youre not flat-out telling your boss no, rather youre starting a discussion about the best use of your time.When You Always Get Stuck With ItYou have unique talents and abilities, but how can you make that clear if you spend your days doing the menial tasks only you seem to get assigned? People can fall into routines, and if your colleagues always pass on boring projects and you always offer to pitch in, the ass umption may be that you dont mind. From there, you become the go-to person for that kind of work. If this sounds familiar, you definitely want to speak up. Politely decline the next sub-par project that comes your way by mentioning that youre already committed to working on another assignment. And the next time you check in with your boss, reiterate your desire for a more balanced workload.When You Think Its a Seriously Bad IdeaBeing a go-to person is about more than saying yes. It also entails sharing your insights and saving the team from going down a path you think could be fraught with issues.If you think that (beyond being annoying) a course of action is a waste of resources or is somehow setting the team up to fail, you should always push back. Keep in mind that questioning if a certain course of action makes sense doesnt have to be combative. When you ask more about the context or direction of a project- because you want to get it right- youll learn more about it and maybe re alize its not so pointless. Or, maybe youll still be against it. (If the latter is true, Muse writer Kat Boogaard has great tips for giving your boss this uncomfortable feedback.)You want to find the balance- to be seen as helpful and dependable, but to feel comfortable speaking up and managing your workload. Before you grudgingly accept another task youre pretty sure is unnecessary (or dig your heels in), think through the factors above to decide whether taking a stand is worth it.Photo of co-workers courtesy of Hero Images/Getty Images.