Chronicles of a Late Bloomer

The science of behavior change is alive and well with a myriad of theories and models to help us, theoretically, be able to make positive changes in our lives.

photo credit: Anna Gay

Unfortunately, we’re human and full of foibles and complications. Models and theories, no matter how well-researched, do not always take into consideration the many factors that play in to our day-to-day decisions.

Such is the case with a famous model called the “Stages of Change” model. It was developed in the 1970’s by some “transtheoretical” researchers who were trying to help people quit smoking. Although this model has been researched multiple times as a way to help bring about change, it does not seem to be an effective tool for that purpose.

What I do find helpful in this model, though, is the way that it describes processes that naturally occur. At least, I have seen this cycle in my own life. Whenever I have brought about a significant change, I can usually recognize these stages of change — but only in hindsight. I’ve never successfully been able to use them to go from zero to sixty in the change machine.

The stages are:

1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance
6. Relapse

I like how the model accounts for “relapse” (a substance-abuse term, to be sure, but one that can apply to any effort at positive change) and normalizes it so that when it happens, it doesn’t throw you entirely off track. At any moment, you may need to step back to a previous stage for strength and progress.

Looking back, I can see exactly how I worked through the first 3 stages to arrive at (and cycle through) stages 4/5/6, which is where I currently am in the process of the 2010 Experiment with Huizenga’s Wow!Rx.

This entry was posted Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 1:11 pm and is filed under Metaphysical, The 2010 Experiment. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.