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What Is A 'Force Multiplier'?

Force Multipliers are tools that help you Amplify your effort to produce more output. A hammer is a force multiplier. Investing in Force Multipliers means that you'll get more done with the same amount of effort. Generally, the only good use of debt or outside capital is when it gives you access to Force Multipliers that you wouldn't be able to access any other way.

Josh Kaufman Explains 'Force Multipliers'

One of the things that make humans unique is our ability to create and use tools. Tools are important because they multiply the effect of physical force, thought, or attention. The more a tool amplifies or concentrates your effort, the more effective the tool.

If you try pounding on a nail with your bare hands. You'll certainly be able to exert some force, but it won’t be enough to drive the nail into something solid. (Besides, you’ll probably hurt your hand.)

Using a hammer multiplies the magnitude of the force you're exerting and concentrates that force into a small area, making it easy to drive a nail in a single stroke. Saws, screwdrivers, and other tools work the same way — they Amplify and concentrate a small input into a larger output.

The most effective tools amplify force in the greatest magnitude. A power saw is far more effective at multiplying force than a handsaw is. A dump truck can carry more than a wheelbarrow. A rocket can launch a payload farther than a slingshot.

Investing in Force Multipliers makes sense because you can get done with the same amount of effort. If you need to dig the foundation to build a new house, a $10 shovel from your local hardware store will certainly work, but a backhoe will get the job done job faster and easier. If building homes is your business, buying or leasing a backhoe is worth the cost.

Force Multipliers can be expensive — the more effective they are, the more expensive they tend to be. Factory production and distribution systems are examples of large scale force multipliers—they make it possible to deliver value to thousands (or millions) of paying customers in a very short time. They may cost thousands (or millions) of dollars, but they can give you capabilities that would otherwise be out of reach.

As a general rule, the only good use of debt or outside capital in setting up a system is to give you access to force multipliers you would not be able to access any other way. If your business requires tooling up a factory, you probably don’t have $10 million sitting in your bank account. Taking a Loan from a bank or accepting Capital from an outside investor may be your best option, provided you use those funds to purchase and maintain force multipliers, not pay yourself or maintain rent on a fancy office.

Always choose the best tools that you can obtain and afford. Quality tools give you maximum output with a minimum of input. By investing in force multipliers, you free up your time, energy, and attention to focus on building your business instead of simply operating it.

Questions About 'Force Multipliers'

• Do any force multipliers exist in your market?
• Are you using the very best tools you can obtain and afford?

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"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

Thomas Carlyle, essayist and historian

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