Start preparing now for what you will say and how you will say it when “the day” arrives. Perhaps something like this: (It's Monday morning a month from now, you’ve been at your desk (or wherever you work) for 15 minutes, and here comes your boss.) Boss (B): “Good morning You. Listen, Billy and Bob are leaving us in 2 weeks – Billy’s going on maternity leave, and Bob’s quitting. So I’m putting this 4-foot-high stack of papers on your desk, and assigning you 5 really-high-priority projects, 5 high-priority projects, and these 7 routine projects. I hate to do this, but you’ll just have to handle this until we can bring in another person or two. Shouldn’t take more than 5 or 6 weeks to find some folks.” You (Y): “Uh, okay. Let me take a look through all this, and get back to you.” (Monday, after lunch) You: “Hey boss, got a minute?” Boss (B): “Sure, what’s up?” Y: “I’ve looked through the material you gave me this morning, and I’m happy to pitch in. However, I can’t get it all done at the same time. It’ll help if you help me prioritize my current workload and these new tasks.” B: “You can handle it, you’re good. You’ll just have to work a little harder and a little faster.” Y: “Actually, I’m maxed out now with my current work, and there’s no way I can handle these new projects without setting new priorities.” B: “Look, you’ve never let me down before (in a slightly threatening tone), and I’m sure you can get it done.” Y: “Thanks for the vote of confidence, and (and, not but) actually, I won’t be able to get it all done without setting up a priority system.” B: “Well, okay, bring me back the 7 routine projects, and put the 4-foot stack of papers off to the side, and just work on the high-priority projects.” Y: “That’s a step in the right direction, and (again, not but) those projects, along with my regular work, still need to be re-prioritized.” B: “Look, this stuff is important, and needs to get done.” Y: “You’re right, it needs to get done. Do you want me to set up a priority table and sort it all out, and then start tomorrow, or, would you want to approve the table first?” B: “Look, I’m in a bind here. Do you know what would happen if we don’t get these projects done?” Y: “No, I don’t. What would happen?” B: “Well, it wouldn’t be pretty.” Y: (Quietly looking at the boss with an inquisitive, helpful expression on your face.) B: “You know, I could just tell you to get it done, okay?” Y: “Yes you could, and I’ll do what I can. Would you want me to set the priorities before I start, or just start at the top of the pile, or what?” B: (Pausing for about 30 seconds, thinking.) “Okay, this is tough. Let’s do this. Spend the rest of the afternoon, and lay everything out. In fact, schedule the conference room and use that. Arrange everything, including your current work, in the priority you think best, and tomorrow morning we’ll go through everything and get it all sorted out. Then I’ll go to my boss and see about hiring some temps this week. Oh yeah, prepare an estimate of how long you think it will take you to do each individual project.” Y: “Sounds like a plan. I’ll get right on it.” B: “Sorry about loading you up like that.” Y: “No problem. Things happen. I’ll get started and should be able to have everything arranged by tomorrow morning.”