Catalyst Chain

A source of a Change is precipitated by a Catalyst (for something) a person or thing that causes a change; the causation of change is not always clear or easy to pinpoint, particularly if the Change is an unconscious change.  A conscious change is easier to analyse.

 My own personal example, in the previous log, of a conscious change was clear because I chose to make a change.  Assessing a Catalyst usually requires a deeper look and analysis. Often a catalyst can be disguised.  Again, using my example of wanting to alter a habit, I mentioned that I wanted to be healthier and be a less picky eater. That was my conscious reasoning, however closer scrutiny of this change actually had an emotional source.  I actually did not want to appear to be too picky. This was an influencer.  Understanding what the catalyst source is is not often recognized.  A Catalyst can be mirrored with other, and more subtle, causation(s). Thus there might actually be a Catalytic Chain. 

The term “Catalyst Chain” is often used in chemistry, which refers to a series of reactions.  A “Chain Reaction” in this is not synonymous to a Catalyst Chain in the understanding of a root cause of a Change. In other words, the reaction(s) is not what we are looking at, here. (We will further look into what a Change effect means, as well as reactions, as we move through the series of exercises.) 

A chain of multiple things can create an illusion of a single source of change.  A Catalyst is multi-dimensional.  Multi-dimensional means there are various bases and underlying purposes for a change. As you can see with my example, I outlined a Conscious change, but in fact there was a less identifiable cause, and the cause stemmed from an emotional dimension.  A Catalyst(s) operates on various levels; the gross or physical; the emotional or psychological; and the spiritual. Now, this additional information definitely complicates the Change Analysis. 

So, let’s relook at the Change you identified, and review the Catalyst.  Ask yourself if there was another dimension to the Change.  Remember, I mentioned in the earlier blog that you may need to go through a sequence of reasons for a change. Some of the reasons can be categorized under Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual.  

Catalyst Chain 

• As you outline your reasons (conscious and /or unconscious) and categorize your thoughts, keep in mind that in the last exercise I stated there is main cause. Ultimately, the main cause is considered the Catalyst.

• Spend some time again reviewing your notes and your chain of catalysts, think about all the reasons: The Catalyst you wrote down as the main cause, is it the same?
  The underlying and strongest reason is usually a main source of a Catalyst which in turn precipitates the Change. 

• Ask yourself, what was the cause or ultimate root for this change? Be as objective as you can.