In Herman Melville’s short story Bartleby, the Scrivener, Bartleby is depicted as a clerk on Wall Street who initially excels at his job—calm, dedicated, and highly productive. However, everything changes when he refuses a simple task by stating, "I would prefer not to." From then on, those few words become his standard response to any request.

During the pandemic, the concept of "quiet quitting" gained attention, with Bartleby often cited as a symbol of refusing tasks beyond one’s scope. Surprisingly, there’s power in learning to say no to certain responsibilities.

If you find yourself spending your days assisting colleagues to the point where your own work suffers, it’s likely your working hours won’t suffice. This can lead to early mornings, late nights, and even weekend work just to concentrate properly—a pattern that isn’t sustainable and eventually leads to burnout.

To better manage your workload and prioritize effectively, consider implementing the following strategies:

• Recognize that your time is valuable and not limitless.
• Learn to say no early on to tasks that don’t align with your priorities.
• Attend kick-off meetings for new projects to assess alignment with your goals.
• Consider colleagues’ requests carefully, balancing assistance with your own workload.
• Allocate specific times for coordination work, especially if you’re not in a managerial role.
• Regularly review commitments to avoid unnecessary meetings and tasks that consume your schedule.

Now more than ever, embracing Bartleby’s famous phrase—"I would prefer not to"—can be a strategic response. By learning to say no to tasks that don’t align with your goals, you preserve your energy for what truly matters.