Do you ever get annoyed with yourself for repeating the same mistakes? perhaps it’s normal.. Stages of Change Model

The Stages of Change Model explains an individual's readiness to change their behaviour. We all go through these stages before we make a change, so rather than get annoyed at yourself, it’s useful to recognise what stage you are in and simply keep moving forward. Getting annoyed can make people give up. Knowing these stages can help you keep going with your change. The process of behaviour change occurs in these stages:

Pre-contemplation: There is little awareness, or no awareness of an issue, and no intention of taking action.

Contemplation: There are thoughts about taking action and you are gathering information.

Preparation: You are gathering more information, and there is intention to take action (and possibly some preparation steps have been taken).

Action: Behaviour has started changing, or been changed for a short period of time.

Maintenance: Behaviour has been changed and continues to be maintained for the long-term.

​People move back and forth through these stages, and may relapse back to an earlier stage for a while before they gradually move towards staying in the Maintenance stage. So don’t let setbacks make you give up all together. Just pick up and start from whichever stage you are in.

As long as you are moving and learning, then you’re on the right track. If you feel stuck for a long time, be kind to yourself, and seek information on why you are stuck (Preparation Stage), then keep going.

There's more information, and a recorded talk on it at this website https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/understanding-addiction/202110/understanding-the-process-change

A recorded talk on this website (it mentions young people, but it applies to anyone) https://www.youthaodtoolbox.org.au/stages-change

So next time, if you feel frustrated or annoyed about not changing quickly enough, instead take a breathe and think “I’m moving through the stages of change”.

You can do it.