This week, you'll begin your escape from the nice person's trap:
Day 1-2: The Request Log Document every request for your time, help, or expertise. Note who's asking and what they want. You'll be shocked by the patterns.
Day 3-4: The Value Analysis For each request, ask: - What's in this for me? - Does this person reciprocate? - Will this be visible to people who matter?
Day 5-6: The Strategic No Practice Choose three low-stakes requests to decline. Use this formula: "I appreciate you thinking of me for [task]. I'm focused on [your priority] right now, but [alternative solution]."
Day 7: The Visibility Moment In one meeting or email this week, clearly state a specific contribution you made. No qualifiers, no credit-sharing. Just facts.
Jenny tried this challenge and reported: "By day 7, my boss actually said he had no idea I was doing so much strategic work. He'd only seen me as the helpful one who handled logistics. That single week changed his entire perception of me."