Unpacking the Four Forces of Progress

Bob Moesta, one of the creators of Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) theory (and the guy who basically rewired my product development brain), identified what he deems the “Four Forces of Progress.” According to Moesta, every time we consider making a change—starting a new habit, embracing a new tool, or even just moving on from an old routine—there are four competing currents inside our head: two that propel us forward, and two that pull us back.

• Push of the present: The pain or frustration with our current situation nudging us to seek something better.
• Pull of the new: The appeal and promise of a new solution or future state.
• Anxiety of change: The worries, fears, and uncertainties about what might go wrong if we try something different.
• Habit of the present: The comfort, routines, and inertia of the status quo that encourage us to do nothing at all.

The net sum of these forces determine whether we actually make progress, stall out, or never even get started.⁠⁠

Psychic Currents: Progress Is About Energy, Not Just Action

I like to think about these forces as “psychic currents.” Imagine trying to row a boat upstream against a strong current—no matter how determined you are, at some point, the water wins. But if you can find a way to get the current flowing in the direction you want to go, progress becomes dramatically easier. You’re no longer muscling your way through resistance; you’re riding momentum.

This isn’t about having more willpower. It’s about working with your mind’s natural flows. When something feels easy, it’s because you’ve lined up the psychic currents in your favor. When you’re stuck, it’s usually because the forces of resistance are outweighing the forces of progress.⁠⁠

How to Shift the Currents: Addressing the Forces in Your Mind

Making progress—real, sustainable progress—requires tuning into these forces and actively shifting them in your favor:

• Acknowledge the pain of the present. Progress almost always starts here. If you don’t fully recognize or feel what’s uncomfortable about your status quo, you won’t have enough energy for change.
• Organize the work to clarify the pull of the new. Spell out what’s actually appealing about the solution you want. Make it tangible. Get clear on the benefits and why they matter to you. Organize your goals, break steps into smaller pieces, and visualize the progress.
• Surface anxieties about the future. Don’t ignore your doubts. Write them down. Explore what could go wrong and make plans to manage those risks, rather than letting vague fears sap your motivation.
• Challenge the habits of the present. Notice the routines you fall back on. Sometimes just noticing is enough to loosen their grip. Other times, you may need accountability or environment shifts.

If you’re struggling to get something done, it’s not a personal failing. It’s more likely that one (or more) of the resisting forces has tipped the balance.⁠⁠

How Digital Organization Gets the Currents Flowing

Here’s where digital organization becomes your leverage. An organized system can:

• Help you see exactly where the pain points in your current process exist, making the “push of the present” conscious rather than hidden.