Checklist for accepting non-mandatory work

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First, do a premortem check (30 seconds)

Imagine accepted the project and it went bad.

1. What went wrong?

2. Why did I end up regretting the project?

3. Which part annoyed, stressed, or drained me more than expected?

4. Can I avoid or limit the bad parts?

If the likely failure feels obvious or familiar, treat that as real data, not pessimism.

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Second, consult the acceptance checklist

Only say yes if all of the following are true:

• Meaningful progress
  There’s a substantial chance (≈50% or higher) that this will move me in a concrete way toward one of my personal goals
• Worth the cost
  The value clearly outweighs the pain, effort, or annoyance.
• Capacity
  I genuinely have time for this without adding too much stress.
• Opportunity cost
  This won’t crowd out something important that I already know I want to do.
• Clean yes
  I’m saying yes because I want to, not out of guilt, fear, obligation, or people-pleasing.

If any item is a no or a maybe, the default answer is no (or “not right now”).

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How to deal with situations where offers happen face-to-face or over phone

1. Say: “Can I think about it and get back to you?”

2. Consult this checklist.

3. If I answer on the spot, that answer is provisional. I’m allowed to change my mind after reviewing this. Think it through, its better to be a bit annoying and retract a yes than to end up regretting accepting a project.

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