Stages of Change - Preparation and Action

According to a survey conducted by Franklin Covey, 23% of New Years Resolutions are kept.  33% of respondents said that they are not committed to the resolutions they made.  This commitment must be there if any lasting change is to be made.  It is seen time and again ($61 Billion weight loss market).  People vow to lose weight, exercise more, and stop smoking.  Others want to get out of debt - and then they see something they want.  It takes a strong resolve to stick to change.  I'm not saying willpower, per se, but more of a decision of the course that one wishes to take. 

Enter the transtheoretical model of change.   I can usually tell you a person's likelihood of reaching a goal or sticking with a behavior change in the course of a 10 minute conversation... sometimes 2 minutes.  It all has to do with which "stage of change" someone is in.  That, and their motivation.  Not the degree of motivation rather, the source.  Most people stay in the Contemplation stage.  They think about making a change.  They know they should make a change.  They think about the steps they may take to make a change.  It takes just a little extra motivation - a level of commitment - to transition to the Preparation stage.  For example, a dieter who starts researching different plans or someone who wants to start exercising who starts to look at fitness center locations and pricing. 


Stages of Change:  Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance

  I found this illustration too (www.engenderhealth.org) - which I think is awesome.

Last week I wrote about my desire to become a better parent.  Specifically, I need to learn how to handle my spirited pre-schooler without losing my cool.  My motivation?  I feel like scum when I lose my temper and scream raise my voice.  I want to be a better mother and feel like a better person for myself.   My children will have enough to grapple with between puberty, high school, early adulthood, that mommy issues do not need to be heaped on top. 

So I am in the Preparation stage right now.  I had been thinking about finding a parenting class for a while.  I decided to look at the schedule of classes at our local YMCA (checking out what is offered during my daughter's dance class) and I discovered that they offer a FREE parenting class.  So, I signed husband and myself up for the first session of the year.  We will meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM. 

This means that tomorrow night at 6:30, I will officially be in the ACTION stage!