Analysis of the force field

Force Field Analysis is a strategic method used to examine and comprehend the conditions needed for change in both private and public settings. Kurt Lewin was the one who created this technique, and he used it mainly in his work as a social psychologist. The analysis of the forces supporting and opposing a change is now also employed by businesspeople to develop and present the justification for their decisions. The foundation of FFA is the idea that we sustain circumstances by balancing the factors that promote change and those that work against it. So as to experience a change, the driving forces must be made strong or else, on the other hand, the forces of resistance are made weak.

So as to undertake an FFA, we begin by describing the plan or else a proposal on a piece of paper. This is then followed by listing all the forces supporting a change on the left side of the paper and the forces that are against the change on the right side. We then award each factor with a score and add up the scores for both the left and the right side. From here we can then make a decision on whether to go ahead with the change and implement it or whether to ignore it and move on as there before. On the other hand, the analysis can also be essential in thinking on how we may strengthen the forces that are for the change and weaken those that are against the change.

FFA on an issue in your life that you would like to change.

Below are highlights from my personal Force Field Analysis. The information presents my restraining and driving forces of losing weight which I have listed aiming at finding a much easier way to tackle the issue.

Force Field Analysis of Losing Weight

Driving Forces (+)

Restraining Forces (-)

Negative self-image (strong)

Lacking time (strong)

A threat to my health (strong)

Lacking equipment money (weak)

My cloths do not fit well (strong)

Lacking interest in exercising (medium)

Cultural obsession in being slim(medium/strong)

Genetic traits (strong)

Embarrassment (medium)

Years of unhealthy dietary habits (strong)

Positive attitude towards sports and exercise (strong)

Poor advice (weak)

How the restraining forces impede your progress.

I work part time on my father’s farm where I spend more than 30 hours each week. I also work at a health club, and I also take night classes to complete my degree. From Monday all through to Friday, I leave home at 5 a.m. and return after 5 in the evening. Obviously, my schedule has been very challenging, and I lack time even to think of losing weight. Genetic traits in our family line have also been impeded my progress of losing weight. All the way from my extended family, I have realized that there has been an issue of overweight. Both my parents have had issues with obesity, and my father’s dad had suffered from the disease since he was young. Dietary habits have also played a part in impeding my progress as I have noted that for so long we have been buying food from the same grocery store and preparing the same recipes while living within our family routine. We have grown accustomed to eating and drinking the same type of foods with a fear of introducing other foods or trying something fresh have also been finding it difficult to begin exercising so as to lose weight and realized that it is a bit changeling to change my current lifestyle. The bad habits have become automatic and have proved much challenging to incorporate.

Intervention strategy to enhance the driving forces to make change possible

I have realized that as soon as I begin to make excuses, then I will never lose weight and as such, I have toughened up and created an intervention strategy that will enhance the driving forces in my pursuit of losing weight. I am very serious about losing weight and more so living a healthy life, and thus I have no option rather than to shaking up the old habits, change the old bad dietary habits and begin seriously thinking about my diet and lifestyle. Eating structured meals and snacks is another intervention strategy that will enhance my driving forces to lose weight. This will assist me in getting famished less often since I will reduce habits of nibbling and consistent munching. I have realized that am usually famished at most times hence tending to grab whatever food I come in sight with often ending up in grabbing junk food. To deal with this, I will make sure that I keep healthy foods at an arm’s reach and always have a fruit or yogurt when I know that it will be difficult to get something healthy during the day. Finally, I have realized that all exercise plays a crucial role in losing weight and as such I will undertake the exercise activities that I enjoy and come up with an exercise program that I will manage sticking to. I have realized that I do not have to spend thousands of dollars on exercise equipment or an expensive gym, but instead, I can adopt lifestyle activities that will assist in my pursuit. For instance, I have decided on taking the stairs and walking when covering short distances rather than always using a car. I will also make use of the various exercises that I enjoy during the different seasons such as outdoor swimming and taking jogs and walks on the beach during summer as well as skiing in winter. The focus is mainly to follow on an exercise program that I will manage to stick to for the long haul.

References

Donnelly, J. E., Blair, S. N., Jakicic, J. M., Manore, M. M., Rankin, J. W., & Smith, B. K. (2009). American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Appropriate physical activity intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 41(2), 459-471.

Lewin, K. (1946). Force field analysis. The 1973 Annual Handbook for Group Facilitators, 111-13.