Can People Really Change?

There are six specific stages one must go through in order to change a specific trait or behavior.

Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Can People Really Change?   "A leopard can't change its spots," reads one quote. And another, "Once a … always a …" But is that always the case? Not necessarily. Study after study tells us that people can, indeed, change. It just requires self-awareness, a true desire to change, and some hard work.   Making a lasting change in behavior is rarely a simple process. It usually involves a substantial commitment of time, effort, and emotion." — KENDRA CHERRY, MS    Why Change Is Important Sometimes  No one person on this Earth is perfect. In that sense, some level of change can behoove each of us. At its core, change is the notion of recognizing our weaknesses or wrongdoings and working toward becoming an improved version of ourselves.   To truly change, we must possess genuine readiness to change, know what hurdles stand in your way, and understand and prepare for triggers that can cause regression. The Six Stages of Behavioral Change  In the late '70s, researchers Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente developed the "Stages of Change," also known as "Transtheoretical Model." It outlines the six specific stages one must go through in order to change a specific trait or behavior. Stage 1: Precontemplation. We are quick to deny or ignore a problem, but this stage invites us to examine our weakness. Stage 2: Contemplation. Here, we can confirm our readiness to change and identify potential barriers. Most people stop here. Stage 3: Preparation. Now we create a plan of action with clearly outlined goals. Take your time in this phase. Stage 4: Action. Finally, you can put your plan in action. Focus on the goal and why it's important for you to achieve it. Reach out to others for support. Stage 5: Maintenance. This might seem like the easy part but avoiding temptation and developing healthy coping strategies can be difficult. Don't forget to reward yourself. Stage 6: Relapse. Regression can happen. If it does, forgive yourself, identify the trigger, and reaffirm your commitment to change.    On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body  This week, take 15 minutes to identify a behavioral change/goal that you'd like to set for yourself. Write it down and create a plan of action around it. Also identify why this change is important to you and come up with a game plan for how you will navigate inevitable triggers. Backed by science and success theory, Best Self's Self Journal is a 13-week goal planner designed to optimize your day, tackle your goals, and live a more fulfilled life. Penned by Amy Morin, LCSW, "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" identifies 13 critical ways to improve your mental strength so you can break the cycle of non-achievement. These seven books on motivation are recommended by mental health experts, and may inspire you to make the changes you want to work on.     This Week on The Verywell Mind Podcast   On tomorrow's episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I talk with bestselling author Heather Monahan about how to survive a toxic workplace.   Tune in to hear her advice on how to handle discrimination or abuse at work.   Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Read These Next 4 Ways to Get Better at Dealing With Change READ NOW How to Cope With the Unknown READ NOW The Healthiest Approaches to Self-Improvement READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy