Overcommitment

Overcommitment is the state of being committed to more tasks, responsibilities, or obligations than one can realistically manage or fulfill effectively. It results in a lack of time, increased stress, potential for errors, and the inability to meet deadlines or maintain quality standards. It often stems from a desire to please others, a fear of missing out, poor time management skills, or an inaccurate assessment of one's own capabilities and available resources. The consequences of overcommitment can be detrimental to one's personal well-being and professional performance, hindering progress and potentially damaging relationships.

Overcommitment meaning with examples

• Sarah, eager to impress her new boss, accepted every project offered, leading to overcommitment. She found herself working late nights, neglecting her personal life, and struggling to meet deadlines, causing stress and impacting her work quality.
• The non-profit's board, enthusiastic about their mission, experienced overcommitment. They initiated multiple fundraising campaigns and community outreach programs without sufficient staff or resources, stretching their team thin and diluting their impact.
• A student, driven by ambition, enrolled in a demanding course load, joined multiple clubs, and took on a part-time job, leading to overcommitment. She faced burnout, poor grades, and a decline in her mental and physical health.
• The entrepreneur, keen on expanding their business, experienced overcommitment. They tried to launch several new products simultaneously without the infrastructure to support them, resulting in missed deadlines and decreased customer satisfaction.