Overcommitting

Overcommitting refers to the act of agreeing to do more than one can realistically accomplish, often resulting in missed deadlines, decreased quality of work, and increased stress. It's the tendency to take on excessive responsibilities, projects, or obligations, potentially leading to exhaustion and the inability to meet the demands placed upon oneself. This behavior frequently stems from a desire to please others, a lack of self-awareness regarding personal limitations, or an overly optimistic assessment of available time and resources. The consequences range from minor inconveniences to severe professional setbacks and strained personal relationships.

Overcommitting meaning with examples

• Sarah, eager to impress her new boss, agreed to lead three projects simultaneously, leading to overcommitting. She struggled to meet deadlines, impacting the project's success. Eventually, she had to ask for assistance and missed key milestones due to the workload exceeding her capacity, which damaged her professional reputation.
• The non-profit, excited by the opportunity to expand its services, fell into overcommitting. They launched several new programs without adequate staffing or funding, leading to a decline in the quality of their existing services and ultimately jeopardizing the mission of their organization.
• John, despite a full schedule, continually overcommitting. He volunteered for numerous committees, took on extra client work, and promised to attend every social event, finding himself constantly exhausted and unable to fully participate in any of them leading to a reduced quality of life.
• As a freelance graphic designer, Maria often had to balance client requests. Maria practiced overcommitting by taking on several large projects simultaneously, believing she could manage the workload. This ultimately caused delays, lowered her service quality, and led to several client complaints.