How to Break Free from Stress and Overwork: Using the O.H.M. Method

You know how as leaders one can get stuck in patterns of stress and overwork.?

We keep pushing ourselves harder and harder, but instead of feeling better, we just end up exhausted.?

What many don’t realize is that this stress isn’t always about the work itself—it’s often about what’s going on “inside our heads”. ?

That’s where understanding the O.H.M. resistance method comes in.?

OHM is a simple way to understand what’s causing stress and burnout and how to get back to a healthier mindset.?

OHM

O.H.M. stands for Opinions, Habit Thought Patterns, and Meanings, which are the key things that create stress in our minds and keep us stuck. ?

What is O.H.M.??

1. O: Opinions: Opinions are the things we believe about ourselves, other people, and situations.?

These are thoughts we’ve come to accept as true, even if they’re not.?

For example: - “If I’m not working all the time, I’m not doing enough.”- “I need to do everything myself, or it won’t be done right.”?

These opinions will put a lot of pressure on us. When we believe things like this, we feel like we have to work nonstop or try to control everything.?

But the truth is, these opinions aren’t always correct—they are just OPINIONS.?

They’re often old beliefs based on fear or old habits, not reality.?

By challenging these opinions, we can start to see that we don’t always have to push ourselves or others so hard.?

2. H: Habit Thought Patterns - Habit thought patterns are the automatic ways we think about things.?

These thoughts pop up without us even realizing it because we’ve been thinking them for so long so often.?

Here are some common examples for leaders: - Thinking, “I have to fix this myself,” whenever a problem comes up. - Jumping to the worst-case scenario when something goes wrong. - Believing that overworking, tussle and grinding is the only way to succeed.?

These habitual thought patterns keep us stuck because we don’t even notice them—they’re automatic.?

But by becoming aware of these thoughts, we can start to change them. Instead of always thinking we need to work harder or handle everything on our own, we can learn new, healthier ways to respond to challenges.?

?3. M: Meanings- Meanings are the interpretations we attach to events or situations. For example, if something goes wrong at work, you might think it means: - “I’m not good enough.” - “I’ve failed as a leader.” - “This proves I’m not capable.” ?

These meanings often make us feel worse than we need to. In reality, mistakes and challenges are a normal part of life, and they don’t mean we’re failing.?

By changing the meanings we give to situations, we can stop putting so much pressure on ourselves. Instead of seeing every problem as a sign of failure, we can view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.?

How applying the O.H.M. Helps You Break the Cycle of Stress?

The O.H.M. method helps you recognize the resistant thoughts and beliefs that are causing stress and burnout.?

Once you understand these, you can start to change them. Here’s how: -

1)Challenge your opinions. Ask yourself if the things you believe about yourself are really true. Are you putting too much pressure on yourself by thinking you have to work all the time or handle everything alone??

2) Interrupt your habit thought patterns. Notice when you automatically jump to stressful thoughts, like thinking you have to do everything yourself or I’ll get into trouble. Try to change these patterns by taking a moment to consider other options, like delegating or asking for help.?

3)Reframe your meanings. Stop assuming that every challenge means you’ve failed. Instead, think of problems as opportunities to improve or learn something new.?

?By using O.H.M., you can start to break free from the cycle of stress and overwork. You’ll be able to lead and work more effectively, without feeling constantly exhausted.

Stress and overwork don’t just come from the tasks we have to do—they come from the way we think about those tasks.?

The opinions, habit thought patterns, and meanings we carry in our minds can create a lot of internal pressure.?

By applying the O.H.M. method, you can begin to see these thoughts for what they are—just thoughts, not facts. And once you realize that, you can start to challenge them, change your automatic responses, and shift your perspective.?

This helps you reduce stress, work more efficiently, and feel more balanced in your life.?

Breaking the cycle of stress takes time and practice, but by recognizing what’s really driving it, you can take control of your thoughts and create a healthier, happier mindset.

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