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Unblock . . . and Achieve!
Robb Murray
2/21/2001
I want to tell you about a wonderful technique for eliminating blockage in personal action. It is called "Force Field Analysis" and it creates a complete picture of conflicted feelings. This picture can then be examined and used as a roadmap for dissolving a person’s internal tug-of-war. I have employed this method successfully with dozens of client situations. I am as thrilled about it today as on the day I first learned of it!
START BY DRAWING A PICTURE: On a flip chart, draw a horizontal line completely across the page at a point halfway down the sheet. Draw a series of diagonal lines slanting upwards and to the right of this line so that a pattern is made that looks like slots in a parking lot. Then draw corresponding lines downwards and to the right from the same middle line. You now have something that resembles fishbones.
The lines pointing up from center are "propellants"; those pointing down are "retardants".
DEFINE THE GOAL: At the top of the page, write a simple statement of the desired action that is being blocked, along with the "main reason" for the impasse. Examples: "I want to sit in and play along with jazz musicians during open mike (but I feel too shy)", "I want to become a stock broker (but I think I’m too old)".
ITEMIZE THE FORCES: Now write on the upward lines all of the factors, both internal and external to you, that are leading to the accomplishment of the desired wish, one item per line. On the downward lines, list all the inhibitors, of every kind you can think of, that prevent your moving forward. (You may have to add another layer of lines!)
Most people find that they have many more retardants than propellants. These are the same people who previously said "There’s no good reason why I shouldn’t have done this by now." Oh, really? Obviously, there were MANY good reasons why the task was not being accomplished! (There always are.)
QUANTIFY THE POWER OF THE FORCES: Now mark each item with an A, B, or C. "A" is a strong influence and "C" a weak one. Look at the retardants. Begin with the weakest one (this is important). Consider why it is a factor. Determine a means for weakening the intensity of its influence. If necessary, devise an action plan for defusing its power.
Revisit the chart several times over a period of days or weeks. The cyclical return and re-iteration of problem solving is very powerful. (Just a single stoke of an ax will not fell a tree, no matter how sharp the axe!) As the retardants weaken, cross them off.
Once the retardants begin to fall away, the natural pull of the upward propellants will inexorably pull you into action and achievement.
USE THE POWER OF MORAL PARTNERSHIP: As so often in life, two heads are better than one. So do this with your coach or a respected friend. The leadership and objectivity of your coach, who is not personally stuck with the issue, will help to keep the process from bogging down.
The examples of problems that I gave earlier were actually the real-life concerns of two former clients of mine. I am happy to tell you that the musician, then just a student, is now a full-time performer, and the other individual, who was programming computers when he came to see me, has been successfully trading stocks for over ten years.
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Robb Murray has had a private practice in Success Effectiveness Training since 1986. He lives and works in Chicago. His web site is www.explain.com/coach.