Am I Ready for Change?
Research has shown that self-change is a staged process. We move from not thinking about changing a behavior, to thinking about it, to planning to change, and then testing out ways to do it before we actually start.
When we think about changing or adopting a behavior, we ask ourselves:
- Why do I really want to change the behavior (the benefits or “pros”)?
- Why shouldn’t I try to change the behavior (the challenges or “cons”)?
- Do my “pros” outweigh my “cons?”
- What would it take for me to change the behavior and overcome my “cons” (what’s my strategy)?
To move forward, our “pros” must outweigh our “cons” and we need realistic strategies to meet our challenges and overcome our “cons”.
Readiness to Change
Behavioral scientists recognize 5 stages of readiness to change behavior:
- Pre-contemplation (I won’t or I can’t in the next six months)
- Contemplation (I may in the next six months)
- Preparation (I will in the next month)
- Action (I’m doing it now)
- Maintenance (I’ve been doing it for at least six months)
A number of techniques can help you move from not thinking, to thinking, to planning, to doing, and to continue doing.
To help you understand your stage of readiness, please this short quiz.
- The goal or behavior I want to work on first is:
- My reasons for wanting to change this behavior are:
- The challenges that I have to deal with in changing this behavior are:
- My strategies for dealing with those challenges are:
- My goal for next week with respect to this behavior is:
Are You Ready?
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