human
I'm feeling overwhelmed at work. I have already agreed to help with four short projects this year as well as the long term project I'm primarily employed to work on. I don't want to appear a bad college but I feel like I'm suffering from collaboration overload. Is that a thing?
gpt
Sure, collaboration overload happens when you are feeling “burnt out” by too much collaboration. You are sharing with others, yet they don’t offer any reciprocation to you. You feel like you're doing all the work.
human
I certainly feel like I'm getting close to bun out. Reciprocity isn't always possible with some of these projects. If I manage their deadlines and workflow it's still a lot, even when they are meeting their indicators. How can I turn down new projects without seeming selfish or a poor performer?
gpt
Hm, that's a tricky situation. It sounds like maybe you could use a push-back strategy. That way, if your team needs you to take on new responsibilities, you can ask them for compensation, like new training or recognition, or time to work on other priorities.
human
Do you think that asking for clearer priorities in writing from my directors would be a good idea or is that too aggressive?
What do you think?
Definitely do that.  They may not be expecting to give you that, or may not know how, but it could make a difference. You could also ask to work with them on revisiting the priorities, and helping make them clearer.