Susan L Reid
 
 
 
The Five Stages of Change for Small Business Owners
Change is a tricky thing.  If you are someone contemplating
the changes that will occur by becoming a successful small
business owner, it will be helpful for you to have a bird's
eye view of where you are along the continuum.
 
To that end, Dr. James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente
developed a Transtheoretical Model of Change in 1982 that
has been applied to everything from weight loss to drug
addiction with great success and acclaim.  Though their
model has never before been applied to those considering
starting up a successful small business, it is a very
relevant model that will help take the pressure off
individuals thinking they should be further along than
where they are, and provide a compassionate understanding
of where each person is along the scale.
 
Three Great Things about The Stages of Change
 
Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model of Change
identifies five stages of change:  precontemplation,
contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
 
The Precontemplation Stage (Not Currently Considering
Change)
 
This stage could really be called "the precursor-to-change"
stage.  This is the stage when individuals may not even be
thinking about becoming small business owners.  In fact, in
this stage, they may not even be aware that it would be
beneficial for them to make a change, though other
individuals around them may be thinking that they should.
This stage's motto is:  Ignorance is bliss.
 
How to know if you are in The Precontemplation Stage:
1.You're not really thinking about starting up a small
business.
2.You are basically okay with how things are.
3.Others may be voicing their concerns about the hours you
are keeping, the stress you seem to be under, or how much
you need to take a vacation.
 
Those in this stage do not intend to take action within the
next 6 months.
 
The Contemplation Stage (Thinking about Change and
Researching Options)
 
In the Contemplation Stage, individuals are aware that a
change is needed and they actually desire to make a change.
  Although they are seriously thinking about change, they
have no clear plan of action because they are feeling
ambivalent about change.  This stage's motto is:  Just
sitting on the fence waiting to see what will come along.
 
How to know if you are in The Contemplation Stage:
1. You find yourself doing on-line research, and thinking
about what it would be like to be a small business owner.
2. You seek out the perspective of others who have "been
there, done that."
3. You find yourself attracted to journal articles about
entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
 
Those in this stage are considering taking action within
the next 6 months.
 
The Preparation Stage (Ready for Change and Making Plans)
 
This stage of change is readily apparent by the amount of
activity, decisions, and overt action that is taking place
in preparation for a small business start up.  This is a
time of planning how and when the start up process will
begin.  This stage's motto is:  I think I can, I think I
can, I think I can.
 
How to know if you are in The Preparation Stage:
1. Your small business start up coach has become your best
friend.
2. Your white board is getting a daily workout as you look
at every aspect of small business ownership.
3. You are regularly experiencing both excitement and fear.
 
Individuals in this stage are intending to take action
within the next month.
 
The Action Stage (Making Change and Taking Charge)
 
This stage is characterized by a considerable amount of
steady, forward movement.  All the necessary paper work is
filled out, business checking accounts opened, company name
registered, business cards selected, web site developed,
and strategic action plans mapped out.  The motto for this
stage is:  Carpe Deum.
 
How to know if you are in The Action Stage:
1. You are in full-out action mode.
2. You're spending most of your day focused on your new
small business, and loving it.
3. You are committed to seeing your actions through.
 
Individuals in this stage are taking action.
 
The Maintenance Stage (Continuing Forward Movement toward
Goal)
 
By this stage, individuals are firmly ensconced in the
forward movement and momentum of launching their new small
business.  Continued commitment to sustaining the forward
movement of their small business success is the goal of
this stage.  The motto of this stage is:  Westward, ho!
 
How to know if you are in The Maintenance Stage:
1. Your business is running smoothly.
2. You have begun cycling back through the stages of change
to further develop and expand the growth of your small
business.
3. You are actively looking for new opportunities for
change and growth.
 
Individuals in this stage are continuing momentum.
 
In Praise of Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical
Model of Change
 
As has been demonstrated, Prochaska and DiClemente's
Transtheoretical Model can be easily adapted to the stages
of change that occur in small business start ups.
Individuals considering whether or not they are ready to
become small business owners need no longer be left with
the question of "if."  Rather, they can easily find a clear
answer to where they are along the change continuum.  As a
result, they themselves become powerful and effective
agents for change.  What's more, they learn that change,
while life-altering, can be life-affirming and
life-enhancing.
 
 
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Susan L Reid, MS, DMA, Small Business Start Up Coach &
Accidental Pren-her™ is the soon-to-be author of The
Accidental Preneur:  Discovering Your Inner Samurai.
Transforming start up woes into start up goes, she provides
value, inspiration and direction to entrepreneurial women
starting up small businesses.  For ideas and start up tips,
subscribe at http://SuccessfulSmallBizOwners.com  Add your