What is the Human Operating Model?

The Human Operating Model (HOM) is a framework to guide health, performance, and well-being goals. Humans, are complex creatures in the sense we have a diverse set of needs and it is rarely just one thing that drives us. I am sure you are similar to me, where you have many goals, which are highly varied and never enough time.

If I break down my goals into buckets my goals relate to; friends, family, fitness, career, knowledge, beauty, wealth, and experiences - honestly the list continues! And I am sure if you write out all your goals they probably span similar buckets as well (this is a worthwhile exercise to do if you haven't already).

I have personally found the HOM framework extremely useful to not only keep balance across everything but to look at life holistically. With so many things to do and achieve; balance and holistic well-being is central to enjoying the journey as much as the achievement of the goal.

I have deep-dived into understanding each HOM component as a means to influence them to help me transform, perform or recalibrate. From my experience health professionals tend to just focus on food and exercise, which to me is like trying to drive a car with only 2 wheels.

What are the HOM Components?

I will not go into the details of each of these components as I will cover these as part of their own seperate blogs; but to introduce...

This component covers our Thoughts, Feelings, Emotions, Beliefs, and Behaviours and I have intentionally put this first. What we think and feel drives what we do, say, and believe. There is an extensive amount of research into how our thoughts and feelings drive our physical health. When I was a practicing physiotherapist and working in mental health I have seen firsthand physical symptoms caused by emotional injuries/conditions. Our physical health is so intertwined with our mental health that it is ignorant to consider one without the other.

This component covers Memory, Concentration, Stamina and Speed. Your brain similar to a muscle in your body, requires the right nutrition, levels of hydration and training to function well. There has been some very interesting and exciting new research around improving cognition through supplementation / nutrition, in-particular with those suffering from degenerative disease. 

This component covers our:

• Integumentary (skin, hair, nails & glands),

• Musculoskeletal (muscles & skeleton),

• Cardiovascular (blood, heart & blood vessels),

• Respiratory (bones, muscles, tendons & ligaments).

All of these four systems again are influenced by our physical activity, emotional state, behaviours such as sleep and nutrition we consume. Each system can be healthy and efficient based on what we do and don't do. The right training and the right fuel is critical to getting the most out of these systems. 

This component covers our:

• Digestive/ Urinary System

• Lymphatic / Reproductive System

• Endocrine System

• Nervous System

These systems again tend to be forgotten about in regards to health. But a large part of our physical, mental and even cognitive health can be influence by the state of our endocrine or even digestive system. For example; urinary tract infections although are very common and easily treated with antibiotics can cause significant levels of confusion in some individuals and more commonly in the elderly. 

Summary

All these 4 human operating model components influence our health and wellbeing and they are all very interconnected and intertwined. Which means if we change one of these components we can influence the others as well. But also means if one of our systems has issues; it can negatively impact the rest of our systems.

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