Main Lesson
Discussion
1. What do you think of Elon’s workload?
2. Who are the busiest people you know?
3. Have you been busy at work lately?
4. How do you feel when your workload is heavy?
1. What do you think?
Elon Musk
“Work like hell. I mean you just have to put in 80 to 100 hour weeks every week.”
Jack Ma
“I always tell myself that we are born here not to work, but to enjoy life.”
2. Useful Expressions
1. I have a lot on my plate right now.
Antonym
• I finally have some breathing room today.
2. I’m swamped with emails today.
Antonym
• I’m free this afternoon.
3. He’s tied up with meetings all day.
Antonym
• I’m available now if you want to talk.
4. It’s been a hectic morning.
Antonym
• It’s been a calm morning so far.
3. How’s your week going so far?
Mia, 34, Project Manager
Read and Listen💬
Honestly, I’ve been swamped lately. I’ve got a lot on my plate — meetings, reports, and a new project that’s been eating up all my time. I barely have a minute to breathe. Hopefully, things slow down next week.
Nova, 26, Graphic Designer
Read and Listen💬
To be honest, it’s been a quiet week for me. Things have really slowed down after the big project ended. I finally have some downtime, so I’m just catching up on small stuff and helping out where I can.
Alex, 29, Marketing Specialist
Read and Listen💬
Last week was insane. I was completely overloaded — nonstop meetings, deadlines, messages at midnight. I didn’t even realize how burned out I’d gotten until Friday when I just snapped. I closed my laptop, walked out of the office, and drove to the beach with no plan at all. I just needed to disappear for a day. It was kind of crazy, but honestly, I don’t regret it.
4. Dialogue
👩 Nina: Hey, how’s your week going so far?
👨 Jake: Pretty rough, honestly. I’ve been swamped with emails and meetings all day. I feel like I live in front of my laptop.
👩 Nina: Oh, I get that. Things have been hectic on my end too, but at least it’s starting to slow down a bit.
👨 Jake: Lucky you. I’m tied up with a new project for the sales team — it’s taking forever.
👩 Nina: Oof, sounds tough. Make sure you get some downtime this weekend.
👨 Jake: That’s the plan. I think I’m just gonna switch off my phone and do absolutely nothing.
👩 Nina: Honestly, that sounds perfect.
5. Role-play
You are talking with your coworker, John, about your workload. He asks you for help, but you’re already very busy this week.
You need to tell John that:
• You’re tied up with a project for Leila today.
• You’re swamped with work this week.
• You expect things to slow down next week.
6. Discussion
• What tasks take up most of your time at work?
• How do you stay on top of your workload?
• When was the last time you were swamped with work?