Contemplation

When people are going to make change there are several stages that must be gone through. It's much akin to the stages of grief. No matter how brief, one does experience them all. http://www.uri.edu/research/cprc/TTM/StagesOfChange.htm

I've been in the contemplative stage for a while. About 2 months. Last week I moved into preparation. But today I feel I am back in contemplation.

And that's okay. The stages are fluid and it is very natural to move back and forth as the process of change happens. It is the false assumption that one will move unilaterally along the chain that keeps most people from achieving their goals.

"O crud! I was doing so good and now I fell off the wagon and I have to start over and I can't face that I've failed".

Sound familiar?

Yep. It's the negative self talk.

Deciding that its okay to go backwards as long as one can recognize it and then move forward is perhaps the biggest challenge a person can face.

It's also okay to take action even if one is not sure they're ready. Because, lets be honest-- how many people are always ready to be in the action stage of a process?

A great many motivational posters have been made about that very sentiment!

"No one has ever regretted going to the gym/getting off the couch/ taking that first step"

But everyone has known the hesitation and the ease with which they could just stay inert.

As I go forward I will look for inspiration from those people I see as successes. They will be the first to tell me that they too have those days when they want to keep the covers over their heads. But they will also tell me how happy they are they didn't."

So I will surround myself with action people who have figured out that its okay to visit contemplative once in awhile as long as I don't dwell in it for long.

And I will get to maintenance. But by the very nature of being, maintenance should turn into pre contemplative for the steps. Steps that will take me even higher.

And I any of you want to join me, think about it. Contemplate it. And when you think you might want to take a step toward acting on it- do it! Contact mr. We can do it together.

Let's recognize those demons for what they are and let's get them off our backs!