To uncover the secret to successful personal change one needs to identify the stage of change you are in. There are 6 well defined stages of change.

Matching your challenges to your change of stage will help maximize your problem solving efforts

Precontemplation: Precontemplators usually show up in therapy because of pressures from others- a spouse who threatens to leave them, an employer who threatens to fire them, parents who threaten to disown them, or judges who threaten to punish them. When forced into therapy, their first focus is often something like, “how can I get others to quit nagging me?” They usually don’t want to think, talk, or read about their problem because they feel the situation is hopeless. It isn’t that they can’t see the solution. It is that they can’t see the problem.

Contemplation: People acknowledge that they have a problem and begin to think seriously about solving it. Contemplators struggle to understand their problems, to see its causes, and to wonder about possible solutions. Many contemplators have indefinite plans to take action within the next 6 months or so.

Contemplators, however, maybe far from actually making a commitment to action. You know your destination and you even know how to get there, but your not quite ready to go yet.

When contemplators begin the transition to the preparation stage, their thinking is clearly marked by 2 changes. First, they begin to focus on the solution rather then the problem. Then they begin to think more about the future than the past. The end of the contemplation stage is a time of anticipation, activity, anxiety, and excitement.

Preparation: Most people in the preparation stage are planning to take action within the very next month. In this stage they may already have instituted a number of small behavioral changes, such as cutting their cigarette intake or cutting their calories. Awareness is high and anticipation is palpable.

Action:In this stage people most overtly modify their behavior and their surroundings. It is the busiest period and that requires the greatest commitment of time and energy. Changes made during the action stage are more visible to others than those made during the other stages, and therefore receive the greatest recognition.

Maintenance: During maintenance you must work to consolidate the gains you attained during the action and other stages and struggle to prevent lapses and relapse.

Without a strong commitment to maintenance, there will surely be relapse usually to the precontemplation or contemplation stage.

Termination: The termination stage is the ultimate goal for all changers. You now make your new beneficial habits a permanent part of your life.

HearthMath System is a scientifically validated system to help you with your personal growth. The maintenance tools (personal stress reliever and software programs) helps you to see in real time how you are managing your stress levels. Making it a part of your daily routine will help significantly in achieving your goals.