Stages of preparation before change takes place

It seems that there are stages of preparation we go through before actual change takes place. James Prochaska, PhD, a University of Rhode Island psychologist is the co-author of the book, Changing for Good (William Morrow and Company). He explains that people equate change with action. Yet action, he believes is only the fourth stage in the process of change.

Action cannot take place, Prochaska argues, unless it is preceeded by the following:
Pre-contemplation—feeling that the situation is hopeless or denying that there is a problem.
Contemplation—accepting that there is a problem and beginning to think seriously about changing it.
Preparation—developing a firm, detailed scheme for action.
Prochaska points out that there is a pressure to so something, but you can't succeed unless you have a plan. He likens it to trying to get through the Boston Marathon on sheer willpower. So in order to make lasting change, don't give up jsut because you haven't succeeded yet, think it through carefully, come up with a good plan, and be very specific with your goals so you'll know it when you get there!