Behavioral Change Theory

Anyone who has ever made and broken a New Year’s resolution can appreciate the difficulty of behavior change. Making a lasting change in behavior is rarely a simple process. It usually involves a substantial commitment of time, effort, and emotion.

The keys to achieving and maintaining your goals are to try new techniques and find ways to stay motivated.

Change might not come easily, but psychologists have developed effective ways to help people change their behavior. Therapists, physicians, and teachers use these techniques. Researchers have also proposed theories to explain how change occurs. Understanding the elements of change, the stages of change, and ways to work through each stage can help you achieve your goals.

Recognition of the Stages of Behavioral Change Theory is one of the best-known approaches to beginning a good habit and removing any bad habits. 
The six stages of behavior change model was introduced in the late 1970s by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente.

The first stage is pre-contemplation where you have no desire to change therefor it is impossible to create a habit.

The next stage is contemplation where you need/want to change but you are still thinking about how to get started.

Preparation is when you have taken all of the steps necessary and are ready to begin the work.

Action is when you are actively participating in the habit that you are trying to make.

And lastly, Maintenance is when you have been in the action stage for 6-months or more. 

Resolutions fail when the proper preparation and actions are not taken. By approaching a goal with an understanding of how to best prepare, act, and maintain a new behavior, you will be more likely to succeed.

Resource for learning more about the stages of Behavioral Change, click here.