Much of our work in Employment Services is being with people while they are at various stages of making change in their lives.
We all are interested in change at some time or another; whether we want to lose a few pounds, improve our knowledge, engage more with our family or community, or make serious changes like stopping drinking or doing drugs.
Human behavior through the change process has been observed and a Model of Stages developed to understand the processes that people go through in making changes.
In the Pre-Contemplation stage, individuals are not even looking at change. The may not see the problem or view the behavior as a problem.
As an individual moves to the Contemplation stage, they may now be opening their minds to the possibility that there is something that needs to change. Individuals may now be developing a curiosity about the behavior and are looking at ways that change has been made in others. They may be still on the fence and contemplation is not a commitment. The individual may be weighing the pros and cons.
Moving into Determination, a decision is made. There are now Action attempts at change being made, whether it’s setting out a dietary plan or joining a gym class, a bona-fide attempt is underway. Small successes are being built upon and support from a network is welcomed.
Change requires time. Action steps need to be built upon as new behaviors replace old. Chances of Relapse are present and successes in resisting temptations are important before lasting change is made. This Maintenance stage can include relapse, and recycling back into the stage once again
The Termination stage is where lasting change is made. The old behavior is no longer presents as a temptation. Confidence is in place that learned behaviors are bigger than the temptation. Success is at hand.
Change is hard but not impossible. Understanding where you are in the process can assist in moving your behaviors forward through the stages successfully.
