You work with a particular client regularly. This client often gives unreasonable deadlines and then complains if the deadlines are not met. On several occasions, you have rearranged higher priority work to meet this client's deadlines. Today, you yet again received a request with another unreasonable deadline. If you put aside your other work to meet his deadline, you will likely miss deadlines for two other clients who have higher priority issues.
1. Tell the client that you will not be able to meet his deadline, but that you will complete his work as soon as possible.
2. Tell the client that you have other higher priority work that needs to be completed first, and that you will complete his work as soon as your other tasks have been completed.
3. Tell the client that you have other commitments and cannot meet his deadline, and that you will check with your manager to see if a coworker can complete his work by the deadline.
4. Tell the client that you will complete the requested work by his deadline, and then rearrange priorities with the other clients.
5. Tell the client that you cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete the request by his deadline, and suggest that more lead time is allowed in the future.