Stages of Change

I'm feeling stuck today. I have some changes that I'd like to make, yet can't quite get there. Of course, then, I begin to analyze this. Predictably, a workplace hazard for a psychotherapist. I used to work at a clinic where there were two substance abuse counselors that I interacted with daily. Not having done any coursework or practice in substance abuse treatment, I was intrigued by what theories and interventions they used in their practice. One particular model that they used regularly, was James Prochaska's Stages of Change model. I've outlined the model for you below:

Pre-Contemplation - the individual does not exhibit the specified behavior, and has not considered adopting the behavior.
Contemplation - the individual is considering adopting the behavior, but has not dedicated any effort towards enacting it or preparing to enact it.
Preparation - the individual has started to gather information on the behavior, with a view towards enacting it.
Action - the individual has begun to enact the behaviour regularly, but has not continued doing so over a long period
Maintenance - once a behavior has been regularly enacted for more than six months, the individual is said to have passed into the 'maintenance' stage for that behavior, and has therefore adopted that behavior. This is not, however, a 'final' stage, after which the individual does not have to expend effort to maintain the behavior - a number of factors can propel an individual back into other stages of change.

I now understand, from Wikipedia's current listing of this model, that a sixth stage has been added:

Transformation - At this stage, the change in behavior has become part of the person's normal behavior. Sometimes referred to as the termination stage if the original purpose was to eliminate an undesirable behavior, sometimes referred to as the adoption stage if the original purpose was to begin a new behavior. This is seen as the 'final' stage - although there is much disagreement as to whether an individual ever moves beyond the maintenance stage.

I really like this model, and often use it in therapy, as well in my personal, internal analysis. I'm currently stuck in "Preparation" with an occasional backslide into "Contemplation". I think why I'm stuck is that this is something I "want" to do, not "need" to. There's really no pain in staying where I am. Pain is the great motivator. Most of us are creatures of habit to an extent. It usually takes an enormous amount of pain in order for us to make the effort to change. I'll get back to you in a few weeks and let you know where I am.

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