How Do People Change?

Alright, so the New Year’s resolution for living a more healthy life has been made. Once made, the real question is how to ensure that the resolution is fulfilled.

Assess the Motivation for Change

• How is the change related to current values? Is there passion associated with it?

• What are the reasons to make the change?

• What is the goal of the change?

• How serious is the individual about the change?

• What are the obstacles to the change?

Stages of Change

• Pre-contemplation. Need awareness raised.

• Contemplation.

• Preparation. Beginning to act. Identify strategies.

• Action.

• Maintenance.

• Recurrence.

General Pointers

• Start at the current point.

• Set a goal and plan to accomplish it.

• Make the plan specific and achievable with numbered action steps.

• Visualize accomplishing the goal.

• Celebrate small steps.

• Affirm strengths.

• Acknowledge the difficulty in making a change.

• Name possible obstacles.

• Get the support of others.

• Pick a respected role model.

• Restructure environment to support the change.

• Plan ahead to motivate.

• Do not be too serious.

 

GOOD LUCK and Happy New Year!