When “More” Makes People “Less” Is Burnout Workload…or Wordload?

“Why can’t you be more like…”
Made the listener less.

A word once describing numbers and results.
Began defining people.

Then making decisions.
Choosing relationships.
Shaping outcomes.

To chase a finish line that keeps moving.

“I’m going to be…”
Gets drowned out by “I can’t…”

Workload takes time and effort.

But wordload steals our peace and energy.

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 Wordload is the weight of accumulated words we internalize that become labels and scripts.
It starts making decisions that shape behaviors and performance, develop connections and determine outcomes.

Without us realizing it.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What was I thinking?
“Why do I keep…?”
“Why didn’t I say anything?”

You’re carrying wordload.
We all do.

Even the Apostle Paul talked about it.

“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”

Paul was educated.
Earned titles and status.
Wrote nearly 50% of the New Testament books.

Saying the same thing 2,500 years before us.

Not only was he a new creation.
He was an Apostle over twenty years when he penned it.
And struggled with wordload.

Just like us.

He wrote, “What a wretched man that I am…”

We changed the words…
“Why can’t I be more…”
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 Often our response is incorrect.
Not because we “…don’t know any better.”

Because we believe the wordload we carry.
We answer “more?”

With, “…more…”

“Just do…”

Words setting expectations.
Efforts to avoid labels.

Because we believe the wordload.

Words taught and trained.
Seen and heard.

Without verifying if they’re even true.

“I’m supposed to be…”

Becomes.

“If I just do…”

Until one more thing.
Turns into more…moving the finish line.

And what started as joy…
A promotion.
A marriage.
A baptism.
A birth.

Turns into anxiety.
Doubt.

Burnout.

Not because we’re “less.”
The words and scripts we trusted might be.
Because to be more…

We had to become less…

Authentic.

Words fighting words.
Creating more work.

Effort to fill a role—we didn’t fully choose.  

And we’re exhausted.
_________________

 We don’t add pounds to get healthier.
We wouldn’t add expenses to save.

But we add words.

We look in the mirror to make sure we put our best foot forward.

Yet we overlook the words that stopped describing…
And began defining us.

Peace isn’t found in more words.
Or even better ones.

But less.

Instead of being more…
Being still.

To recognize words and scripts that started deciding…
Who we may never have wanted to be.

And retire them.

Exchanging the untrue, for truth.
Because the truth will set you free…
______________________________

 Wordload says just “…change the actions.”

“Their way.”

We add words.
Build frameworks.
Create habits.

Layered on other words, frameworks, and habits.

More.
When RE| asks for less.

Instead of words.
Two letters.

Instead of framework.
A pause.

Instead of actions.
Identity.

Your way.

RE| is the mechanism—the mental cue—to pause.

Before.
During.
After.

Our next action.
What we say next.

What we think next.

To edit in real time.
To review without judgement.

“I’m a perfectionist.”

Recognized.
Rewritten.

“I can be a perfectionist sometimes and re-working it.”

Label removed.
Expectations changed.

Identity.
Returned.

Weight…
Lifted.
________________________

 Becoming more.
With precision.

Instead of perfection.

The Apostle Paul also stopped letting wordload move the finish line.

“I care very little if I am judged by you…

…Indeed I do not even judge myself.”

Peace.
Not pressure.
_______________________________
REcap:

·       Starting Line: “Be more like…” Anxiety, Stress, Burnout.

·       Wordload is the weight of accumulated words that became scripts shaping decisions, performance, relationships, and outcomes.

·       RE| is the mechanism to pause and recognize.

·       Finish Line: Authenticity. Peace. Rest.

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My name is G. Scott, and I write about the power…and burden of the words shaping people, organizations, and outcomes. I’ve served over thirty years in the corporate environment scaling operations and sales initiatives and teams regionally and nationally.

I have been blessed with my wonderful wife Alyson, three great kids and my first granddaughter.

The most important part of my work? You.  I hope you share your story!
If this has been tough, please reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor.