A key restrainer is the top item holding you back from solving a problem or achieving a goal. Once you have identified the key restrainer the idea is to remove it so that the driving force to solve the problem or achieve the goal can move you forward. This is the essence of the force field analysis technique for problem solving.

In my previous articles and videos, I explained how to first choose the right problem or goal to work on and then how to identify the key restrainer using the Force Field analysis technique. I used the example of stress as the key problem and will continue to do so for this article.

In my last article I used the example of stress as the problem and made a list of possible restrainers. I will choose time and workload as the key restrainers and combine them since they are very similar, so that treating one will automatically resolve or improve the other.

To develop a solution for the key restrainers (in this case time and workload), write down a statement that describes the solution, which in this case could be something like:

Reduce stress by better managing workload in order to have more time for exercise, family and fun activities.

This could open a whole new problem related to workload and in this case it might be best to go through the Force Field analysis exercise again for the issue of workload. In other words, what is the key restrainer for a reduced workload?

The solution would vary depending on your position but if you’re a manager one of the obvious solutions would be to delegate or assign tasks to staff members. If you’re not a manager it might mean prioritizing your work and eliminating redundant and unimportant tasks.

Let’s treat this in the context of a manager and explore some solutions for workload.

Solutions to reduce workload in order to have more time for exercise, family and fun activities.

• track how I spend my time
• list all my tasks and responsibilities
• identify tasks and responsibilities that could be assigned or delegated
• decide which staff member can assume new tasks and responsibilities
• meet with appropriate staff member to discuss new assignments and identify training or coaching requirements
• follow-up with staff members on new assignments and provide training and coaching

Once these actions to the solution have been applied you must evaluate whether the solution has removed the restrainer and resolved or improved the problem. Some problems take longer to resolve than others and you have to go in steps.

Something like stress can be measured by asking yourself on a scale of 1 to 10, how stressed am I? You can ask yourself this question every week as you work through your solution.

Usually by addressing the key restrainer for any problem or goal should take care of all the other restrainers as well but this may not always be the case, so you might need to address another restrainer or dig deeper on a particular restrainer as I mentioned earlier.

You can also work on the solution using my goal planning worksheet which will help you to establish dates for action steps and to also identify obstacles along the way that need to be resolved. Here’s a link to my article and video on achieving any goal using the goal planning worksheet that you can download.

It’s important to work on the right problem and follow the steps to resolving it, especially if you are doing this as a team.

Please let me know how this is working for you and if you have any questions.

Stephen Goldberg