{"id":5694,"date":"2021-12-30T07:26:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-30T13:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/?p=5694"},"modified":"2022-01-08T16:44:26","modified_gmt":"2022-01-08T22:44:26","slug":"stages-of-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/stages-of-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Time for a Change? Why it is OK to Slow Things Down & Think it Through"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Contemplating<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people think that making a change requires an instant decision, followed by instant action. But, change doesn\u2019t have to happen \u201covernight\u201d. Taking your time, slowing down, and thinking things through doesn\u2019t make you lazy or unmotivated to make a change.  Rather, being contemplative can make you feel better and more confident in your change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Stages of Change Model developed by Prochaska & DiClemente, each stage of change responds to different motivational supports. The model was designed for smokers who wanted to quit but were having a hard time doing so quickly, or cutting themselves off \u201ccold turkey\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s a great model to use for smoking and other addictions, it can be adapted to fit just about any major life change you\u2019re going through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, let\u2019s use that model to further understand why it\u2019s okay to slow down when you\u2019re thinking about a big change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contemplation Leads to Deeper Thinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using the Stages of Change Model, the first two stages you\u2019ll go through are pre-contemplation and contemplation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly enough, pre-contemplation might be your current state of being. It\u2019s the stage in which you have no intention of changing your behavior, and so your default plan is for things to stay as they are. Contemplation is when you start to consider a change, but it\u2019s more than just thinking that it\u2019s time to start something different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contemplation is a time when you consider the pro’s and con’s and think about why you want to change. What about your current situation makes you unfulfilled? What are the benefits of changing? How do you plan on doing it? What might get in the way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation Gives You Confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Planning<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve contemplated your change and now how you want to implement it, taking the time to properly prepare is important. Far too many people jump \u201chead first\u201d into a major life change without being fully prepared. Not only is it easier to fail that way, but it\u2019s harder to get back up again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re better prepared for your change, whether it\u2019s giving up smoking, starting an exercise program, or taking on a new career path, you\u2019re less likely to be overwhelmed when you hit a roadblock or when things don\u2019t go as exactly as planned. Take as much time as you need to prepare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking Action and Maintaining Your Change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re fully prepared to make a change, only then should you take action. Think about everything you\u2019ve done leading up to this point. You likely feel more confident after thinking through what you want to do and developing a plan to accomplish it. So, taking action shouldn\u2019t be as scary or overwhelming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintaining your action toward that change can be the difficult part. It\u2019s easy to get complacent, no matter what you\u2019re changing in your life. It’s human nature to fall back into old familiar patterns automatically. If you\u2019re trying to quit smoking or recover from some type of addiction, this model also includes the possibility of relapse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beautiful thing about the model, however, is that you can exit and re-enter at any stage. You don\u2019t have to completely start over like you might if you were moving things along quickly. Consider any mis-steps as data points on your journey – what went wrong? What can you learn from it to improve your next steps?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, that can make the idea of a big change less overwhelming, knowing that you don\u2019t have to start all over when things don\u2019t necessarily go as planned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t rush any change in your life.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thinking things through and slowing down makes you smart, not lazy. It means you\u2019re taking that change seriously, and you want to make sure you\u2019re doing whatever you can to be successful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know more about the Prochaska and DiClemente model, or just how to make effective changes by slowing down being more contemplative, feel free to contact me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re contemplating making a change, or struggling to put your plan into action, please feel free to contact me. We can work on applying these concepts to your personal situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know how stressful and demanding it can be to make changes in your life, but you don\u2019t have to figure it out on your own.   Some of the benefits of individual therapy include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n