To calculate the force required to lift a load 3 meters high, it's essential to consider the energy involved rather than just the force. The discussion highlights that the load is not attached to a lever arm, implying it must be thrown upwards. The key equation to use is the work-energy principle, which states that the work done by external forces equals the change in mechanical energy of the object. Specifically, the work done (W_F) is equal to the gravitational potential energy change (mgh), where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height (3 meters). Additionally, the maximum distance (x) is influenced by the lever arm's length. Understanding these relationships allows for the calculation of the necessary force based on the energy required to achieve the desired height.