Textbook Problem

Are You Ready to Implement Personal Change?105

Step 1. Think about a specific behavior change—for example

stopping smoking, scheduling regular exercise, leaning a new

skill, adopting a healthier diet, or dropping a bad habit—that

you have considered making in your life. With that

Specific behavior or habit in mind, carefully answer each item below

as Mostly True or Mostly False for you.

Mostly True

Mostly False

To be honest, my problem is not so bad that it needs changing. __________  __________

The behavior may be a fault, but it is nothing that I really need to change.__________  __________

I am aware of the issue, but I am fine with it.  ____________________

I have been thinking that I would like to change that behavior.   ____________________

 5. I wish I knew more about how to solve that problem. __________  __________

I would like to understand that behavior better to start changing it. __________  __________

I am actually doing something about it right now. __________  __________

I am really starting to change, but I am not there yet. __________  __________

I am in the process of changing, but I want to be more consistent. __________  __________

I have already completed the change and I do not plan to backslide. __________  __________

The change has become part of my day, and I notice if I do not stay with it. __________  __________

The new behavior is now a part of my life and I do not think about it anymore.__________  __________

Step 2. Scoring and Interpretation: The items in Step 1

pertain to a person's stage of readiness to implement a

Personal change. Each of the four stages is measured by

three questions in the scale. Give yourself one point for

each item marked Mostly True.

Pre-contemplation: Items 1,2,3 Score_____

II. Contemplation: Items 4,5,6 Score____

III. Action: Items 7,8,9 Score_____

IV. Maintenance: Items 10,11, 12 Score_____

You will probably find that you have a higher score

for one of the stages, which means you are in that stage for your specific change. If you have the same score for two adjacent stages, then you are probably transitioning from one stage to the next. What does your score imply about your likelihood of success in making the change?

Step 3. In groups of three to five students, take turns describing desired Change and the meaning of the

stage that you are in. Compare notes and discuss the progress of each person's change.

Step 4. Discuss the answer to the following questions as a group:

How likely is it that you will implement your desired change successfully? Why? To implement a personal change, how important is it to feel a strong need for change? Can you identify driving and restraining forces for the personal changes in your group? Which implementation tactics from this chapter would help your group members make their desired changes? Why do you think so?