𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

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🔷In her book, "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control," Katherine Morgan Schafler states that "most people operate under the dysfunctional assumption that change is a one-step process."

🔷That statement probably rings very true for anyone who has tried unsuccessfully to make a change in their life or even to break an old habit. Change, more often than not, is complicated and there are a few stages to move through to make a change stick. First, there are steps to plan out before taking action toward a change, and then there is maintaining that change (usually what trips people up).

🔷One model to consider is the Five Stages of Change behavior model, originally developed by Prochaska & DiClemente in the 1970s to understand better how smokers might give up their cigarette addiction. The model is based on the assumption that behavioral change does not take place in one step or at one time but is instead a process involving progress through a series of distinct, predictable stages:

1️⃣Precontemplation (not ready)

At this point, you don't know you want to make a change and don't see yourself doing so in the foreseeable future. You're unaware of how your actions impact your life and are more concentrated on "collecting experiences."

If you're already looking to make a change, you might have already passed the stage.

2️⃣Contemplation (getting ready)

Here, you start having repeating thoughts about your experiences and what's working for you and what isn't. You might be noticing the pros and cons of specific habits. But you still need to feel the call to action.

3️⃣Preparation (ready)

By this stage, you've decided you want to change, and you're gathering material and information to help you facilitate that change.

4️⃣Action

This marks the beginning of behavioral changes and is the stage you associate with change because it's the most visible.

"If you've made it all the way to this stage, it takes a whole hell of a lot of mental energy, time, reflection, work, and emotional risk," Schafler writes. "No matter what happens next, you have much to be proud of."

5️⃣Maintenance

This stage is "crucial and often overlooked," Schafler writes. However, making the change is only the beginning of the journey. Now, you have to sustain the habit.

💫With any change, relapse or regression is a possibility. But it is essential to remind yourself that 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙚!

Surround yourself with a support system that encourages you to keep going when you slip up with whatever change you want to make in your life!

🌟Change takes time, and there will likely be hiccups along the way. It's ok! Identify what may have taken you off course, learn from it, make adjustments, and keep at it! 

Source: Linkedin Chris Kelley