The Stages of Change: Getting to where you want to be

The Stages of Change provides a general guideline that you can apply
to almost any habit that you want to change. Try to thoroughly work
your way through each step before proceeding to the next. Many
people cycle through stages more than once before effecting
permanent change. And relapses are not uncommon. Even so, work hard
to prevent them.

Stage 1: Precontemplation
At this stage, either you still deny that you have a problem or you
just don't want to change. The goal at this stage is to begin to
acknowledge the negative consequences of these behaviors and to
think about changing them. Open up to the idea that you might
benefit from change. When you've become aware of the consequences of
what you do (or don't do!), it's easier to proceed to the next step.

Stage 2: Contemplation
Once you're aware that you have a problem and have started thinking
and learning about it, you've entered the contemplation stage. In
this stage, you actively collect information to prepare yourself for
change, and you're seriously thinking about how you might go about
making that change within the next six months. Give yourself plenty
of time to get ready. Eventually, you'll get to the point where
you're convinced that your life would be substantially better if you
altered your behavior.

Stage 3: Preparation
At this stage, you're making the transition from deciding to change
to planning how to change. The first step here is to determine what
action would solve your problem. You must also prepare yourself to
make this change a priority in your life. Go public with your
decision to change. Meeting the expectations of others can be a far
more potent motivator than simply keeping a promise made to
yourself. Finally, set a date to begin your change -- and stick
to it.

Stage 4: Action
When you're fully committed to taking action, go for it! Join the
gym, start counting calories, or swear off those cigarettes. Though
this may be the most rewarding time, it will also be challenging. At
first, avoid temptation. It's not unusual to slip up a few times
during this stage, but if you do, forgive yourself and get back on
the program the next day.

Stage 5: Maintenance
After about six months in the action stage, you'll be in the stage
known as maintenance. Successfully maintaining change depends on
more than avoiding temptations and rewarding yourself for good
behavior. You must rethink what you found appealing about your old
habits in the first place. You may remember that having a cigarette
calmed your nerves after a stressful day at work. Now is the time to
find new, less self-destructive ways to deal with that stress.

Stage 6: Termination
Once you're no longer tempted to return to the way things were,
you've reached the termination stage. But don't feel like a failure
if you don't reach this stage of permanent change -- only about 20%
of people actually do. Relapses, while discouraging, offer the
chance to try again.

Often people refine and improve what they've learned when they go
through the action and maintenance stages a second or third time.
Some people who relapse repeatedly decide to seek professional help.
But it's not unusual to remain in the maintenance stage, still
tempted by old habits but resolved not to give in to them. And in
terms of health, this is truly a worthwhile accomplishment.