Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Issue 56

Make
The
Change
As a new decade dawns, we present a psychological model that
can help you make positive changes in your life - and keep them
Precontemplation
This is the first stage of the model. In this stage, people do
not intend to take action in the foreseeable future (defined
as within the next six months). People are often unaware
that their behaviour is problematic or produces negative
consequences. They also often underestimate the benefits
of changing behaviour and place too much emphasis on
the cons of changing behaviour. They are often not aware
of these processes.
If you are in this stage, begin by asking yourself some
questions. Have you ever tried to change this behaviour in
the past? How do you recognise that you want to change?
What would have to happen for you to consider changing
your behaviour?
Contemplation
During this stage, you will start to become aware
of the benefits of making a positive change. Bear in
mind that many people never make it past this stage.
Generally, if you are considering making the change
within the next six months, you are at this stage. Ask
yourself some important questions:
Why do you want to change? Is there anything
preventing you from changing? What are some of
the things that could help you make this change?
You may still feel ambivalent towards making the
change but the fact that you are contemplating is a
step in the right direction.
Others can help you at this stage by encouraging
you to work at reducing the cons of changing your
behaviour and emphasising the pros. Learn from
those who have already made changes.
46 This feature is based on The Stages of Change Model, developed by Prochaska and DiClemente in the 1980s