Can I Change?

Change. Change is trying on different things. Change is when something is done the unusual manner. Change can be both positive or negative. In this context, it is to change/remove a bad habit. To initiate change there are different stages, precontemplation, contemplation, determination, action, maintenance and termination. Is change something expected from a citizen? Is it the job of the citizen to change themselves for the better to improve the country? How can such little action change a nation?

Stages of Change Model
 (By Prochaska & DiClemente, Johnny Holland, 2011)

With reference from the Six Stage Change Cycle, Precontemplation is when one does not have the thought of removing their bad habit. They do not see their habit as negative or affecting them in anyway. They see advices that the people around them give as over exaggeration and tend to overlook them. Dr. DiClemente had referred the reasons to be in precontemplation with four "R"'s - reluctance, rebellion, resignation and rationalization. Reluctance, "are those who through lack of knowledge or inertia do not want to consider change. The impact of the problem has not become fully conscious."  Rebellion, "have a heavy investment in their habit and in making their own decisions. They are resistant to being told what to do." Resignation, "given up hope about the possibility of change and seem overwhelmed by the problem. Many have made many attempts to quit or control their habits" Rationalizing, "have all the answers; they have plenty of reasons why their habit is not a problem, or why their habit is a problem for others but not for them". (Quoted from Mark S. Gold, MD, Stages Of Change, 2006)

Contemplation is when one is at a process by which they start to think of the possibly of change. They start to doubt their habit and see the negative impact it has on them. They are curious and try to see a solution to their bad habits. However, in this stage, there is no decision made or done only the tinge of hope to change. 

Determination is the commitment to achieve. A decision is made to change. People at this stage are at the process where they have the mindset to initiate the change process. Sometimes, people at this stage request for assistance from a third-party, likely a skilled professional, to come up with an idealistic plan for change.

Action is when the plan is implemented. Individuals at this stage initiate the action to change. This stage normally takes very long to overcome and complete.
The last two stages are maintenance and termination where the people completing the six stages of change happen to fail. As the habit may relapse, they tend to restart to the first stage of change and the whole cycle repeats itself again. Hence, changing is not as easy as it seems.

(With reference from Mark S. Gold, MD, Stages Of Change, 2006)

Looking at this stages of change model, I've decided to challenge myself. I decided to identify and pick out one bad habit I have and initiate the change process to make myself a better person. Why? Well I believe that as a citizen of Singapore, the way to improve our society is to start small by changing ourselves, whether it is something as small as a bad habit. I believe that when we change ourselves, the people around us changes their bad habit as well. Slowly, everyone around will be influenced by the positive attitude of change. Hence, I've decided to start to change a bad habit of mine, procrastination.

Imposing the Six-Stages of Change!

With reference from Dictionary.com, Procrastination is the act of putting off or delaying especially something that requires attention. Procrastination is a bad habit that I have since god knows when. For example, I had plan to finish this blog at a way earlier day, however, the deadline has been delayed and delayed multiple times. But after I have adopted the 6-stage of change, I have slowly become to notice the changes and I have also managed to get this blog post done!

I first noticed that I was at the stage of contemplation, I knew that I had the problem of always delaying the deadlines on my work. I realised that I got too distracted easily by other things rather than on my work itself. I couldn't concentrate and focus for more than 5 minutes and I would always give myself excuses of delaying it till the next day. After this habit has been going on for a while, I started to notice the negative impacts it has. It wasn't until recently that my deadlines were nearing and my workload was piling up, I started to be frantic and that was what led me to the next stage of change.

Determination, reaching this stage was tough. It took me a few days to feel the need for the drive of changing my habit of procrastination. Although there was pressure and deadlines 'round the corner, it took me sometime until I felt the need to change. Thankfully, I found that passion to change for the better. I set out a realistic plan to help change my bad habit of procrastination although it was something I knew could backfire. I believe that if I set my mind to it and follow the plan my habit will be gone in a few months of hard work! My simple plan to get rid of the pest, procrastination, was simple, I bought myself a calendar and marked down to-do list and what should be completed on the day itself. I also marked down days I had to attend CCA or school related events. That way, when I looked at the calendar I would know that I didn't have much time.

At first, the plan felt achievable as it seems simple enough to follow. However when I put the plan into action, it didn't turn out well and the same bad habits resurfaced. The deadline I had planned was also pushed back and no change could be seened. But because I didn't plan for a short period of time, I continued to follow the plan and to my surprise I managed to follow one of them. Although it was a small success, it felt like a big step for my change process. I continued and because of my strong determination to change, I've managed to stay focus on writing this blog without being distracted for a certain amount of time! Although the changes seems small, I believe that with continued efforts I will soon be more productive than I was before!

Summary

After adopting the six stages of change, I have started to notice minor changes. I've started to become more focused on my work, which makes things productive. Even though the changes are minor, I feel that I have managed to accomplish something I have never before. It may not seem like a remarkable result for some people, to me it is enough. I believe that if I continue to follow the stages of change plan, I will make significant change progress. I have also managed to save some time for myself and family after adopting this change. Although there are still some more progress and stages I need to overcome, I believe that with continued effort I am able to achieve my full potential. 

Through changing, I believe that I can also influence other people around me by example to change as well. Recently, I've successfully influenced a classmate of mine to focus completely on the group work we were assigned with. I believe that the little changes that we make makes a major difference in the society around us. Although it is the littlest that a citizen can do, it is something that can make an impact.

References 
Procrastination. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved July 11, 2017 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/procrastination

Prochaska & DiClemente, 2011. Stages of Change Model. Web. 27 June 2017.

Mark S. Gold, MD. (2006). Stages of Change. Available: https://psychcentral.com/lib/stages-of-change/1/. Last accessed 29 June 2017.