1. Lesson 1: Challenges of Change
Makin’ It Work
Re-entering Community and the World of Work
Lesson 1:
Challenges of Change
Revised for 2015
Module I: Thinking Straight © 2015 by Steve Parese, Ed.D.
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2. with Hard-to-Serve Customers
Thumbs Up Activity
Changing habits requires an open mind and a cooperative spirit.
Maintaining changes requires a deliberate and concentrated effort.
with Hard-to-Serve Customers

3. What do you get out of this? How does it apply to you?
Pearl of Wisdom
“No pain, No gain.”
What do you get out of this? How does it apply to you?
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4. Today’s Lesson 1. Read introductions to three characters
Today’s lesson focuses on understanding the stages of change we must go through when trying to make positive changes in our lives.
1. Read introductions to three characters
2. Read story about Damon
3. Learn about five Stages of Change
4. Review & MiniQuiz
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5. Wishful Thinking Activity
If you could make any positive change in yourself or your life,
What would it be?
Examples:
“I wish I had better control of my temper.”
“I wish I had enough money to really take care of my family.”
“I’d like to have a good relationship with my kids again.”
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6. CHARACTERS Anna Damon Nick Introducing our Let’s read along on page 4.
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7. Questions after reading:
Damon’s Story 1
Let’s read along on page 5.
“Damon’s last year as a teenager had been a rough one…”
Questions after reading:
What was Damon's initial belief about Rochelle and his son? What motivated him to change his attitude?
Has anything sudden ever motivated you to change your outlook or behavior?
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8. About Stages of Change
We have to go through each stage of change if improvements are going to last. Forcing change or skipping stages usually leads to relapse.
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9. Five Stages of Change RESISTANCE: Can’t or won’t see problem.
2. THINKING: Aware of problem and consequences. Not ready to commit to change anytime in the next 6 months.
PLANNING: Preparing for real changes within 30 days.
ACTION: Actively changing behavior & surroundings. Lasts for first 6 months.
5. MAINTENANCE: New routines established for 6+ months.
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10. Recognizing Stages of Change
To begin making lasting change, we must:
Identify the behavior that’s causing us problems, and
(2) Figure out which stage of change we’re in.
Complete the examples on page 7.
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11. Stages of Change Recognizing
A. Nick admits he has a problem with fighting.
B. Anna struggles with her drug addiction.
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12. Stages of Change Recognizing
C. Damon has a 2-year-old son that he now sees on weekends.
D. Damon’s kid brother Terrell got picked up for grand theft auto.
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13. Bridge = Self Exploration
Moving Through Stages
From RESISTANCE to THINKING:
Acknowledge the problem and become aware of its consequences, both to yourself and others.
Bridge = Self Exploration
From THINKING to PLANNING
Take personal responsibility for fixing the problem. Find the strength and courage to believe that change is possible.
Bridge = Inspiration
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14. Bridge = Determination
Moving Through Stages
From PLANNING to ACTION:
Get ready for temptations and set up a support network.
Bridge = Preparation
From ACTION to MAINTENANCE:
Voluntarily make significant changes in behavior and surroundings. Keep up changes by avoiding high risk people and situations.
Bridge = Determination
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15. AUTOBIOGRAPHY CHAPTER ONE I walk down the street.
IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
By Portia Nelson
CHAPTER ONE
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in. I am lost.
I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

16. AUTOBIOGRAPHY CHAPTER TWO I walk down the same street.
IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
By Portia Nelson
CHAPTER TWO
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I’m in the same place. But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

17. AUTOBIOGRAPHY CHAPTER THREE I walk down the same street.
IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
By Portia Nelson
CHAPTER THREE
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in. It’s a habit.
But my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

18. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
By Portia Nelson
CHAPTER FOUR
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

19. I walk down another street.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
By Portia Nelson
CHAPTER FIVE
I walk down another street.

20. What behavior of YOURS has caused you the most trouble?
For Group Discussion
What behavior of YOURS has caused you the most trouble?
What stage of change are you in with regard to this behavior?
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21. Summary
During this first class, we have read about three characters, focusing mostly on Damon. We have also taken a close look at five stages of change, and talked about strategies needed to move from one stage to the next in making positive changes in our lives.
In our next class, we will take a closer look at the beliefs and attitudes which drive our behavior, and learn how these can sometimes backfire on us.
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22. KEY POINT #1
There is a natural tendency to resist change, even when change means improvement in our lives.
It takes a strong person to start the process of self- improvement.
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23. KEY POINT #2
Changing any habit, including habits of thinking, takes time and commitment. Lasting change involves a series of stages which cannot be rushed.
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24. Let’s complete the MiniQuiz in the workbook and review it as a group.√
Let’s complete the MiniQuiz in the workbook and review it as a group.
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25. “No pain, no gain.” Today’s Words of Wisdom:
How does this fit in with our lesson?
What is ONE THING you learned in this class that you will remember after leaving?
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