Noun
/ˌoʊvərkəˈmɪt̬mənt/
Overcommitment refers to the act of taking on more commitments than one can handle, often leading to stress or inability to fulfill obligations. It is used in contexts relating to project management, personal life, and time management. The term is commonly found in both oral and written contexts, especially in discussions about workload and capacity management.
The term "overcommitment" sees moderate to high frequency in discussions regarding work-life balance, organizational behavior, and personal productivity. It is often used in written contexts such as articles, reports, and books more than in daily conversation.
"Her overcommitment to various projects left her feeling exhausted and overwhelmed."
(Su exceso de compromisos con varios proyectos la dejó sintiéndose exhausta y abrumada.)
"The manager warned the team about the dangers of overcommitment during the busy season."
(El gerente advirtió al equipo sobre los peligros del exceso de compromisos durante la temporada alta.)
"Avoiding overcommitment can lead to better outcomes and less stress."
(Evitar el exceso de compromisos puede llevar a mejores resultados y menos estrés.)
While "overcommitment" itself is not usually part of many idiomatic expressions, its implications are often reflected in phrases about stress and workload management. Here are some idiomatic phrases that highlight the theme of overcommitment:
"Burning the candle at both ends"
Translation: "Trabajando demasiado, tanto de día como de noche."
"Biting off more than you can chew"
Translation: "Morder más de lo que puedes masticar."
"Spinning too many plates"
Translation: "Haciendo malabares con demasiadas responsabilidades."
"Running on empty"
Translation: "Funcionar sin energía, como un depósito vacío."
"Juggling too many balls"
Translation: "Sosteniendo demasiados compromisos al mismo tiempo."
"Struggling to keep your head above water"
Translation: "Luchando para no ahogarte en tus responsabilidades."
The word "overcommitment" is a compound word formed from "over," meaning excessive or too much, and "commitment," which stems from the Latin "committere," meaning "to entrust." The term has evolved to encapsulate the idea of taking on more than one can manage or handle.