Change is complicated. If you are someone who is contemplating the changes that will come with becoming a successful small business owner, it will help if you have an overview 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 recognition. Although his model has never been applied to those considering starting a successful small business before, it is a highly relevant model that will help take the pressure off people who think they should be more advanced than they are and provide them with a compassionate understanding of where they are. each person is along the scale.

Three great things about stages of change

Prochaska and DiClemente’s transtheoretical model of change identifies five stages of change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

The pre-contemplation stage (not currently considering changes)

This stage could really be called the “precursor to change” stage. This is the stage where people may not even think about becoming small business owners. In fact, at this stage, they may not even realize that it would be beneficial for them to make a change, although other people around them may be thinking that they should. The motto of this stage is: Ignorance is happiness.

How to know if you are in the precontemplation stage:

1. You are not really thinking of starting a small business.

2. You basically agree with how things are.

3. Others may be expressing concerns about how many hours you keep, how stressed you seem to be, or how much you need to take a vacation.

Those at this stage have no intention of taking action in the next 6 months.

The contemplation stage (thinking about change and investigating options)

In the contemplation stage, people are aware that a change is needed and, in fact, want to make a change. Although they are seriously thinking about the change, they do not have a clear plan of action because they feel ambivalent about the change. The motto for this stage is: Just sitting on the fence waiting to see what is to come.

How to know if you are in the contemplation stage:

1. You find yourself doing research online and thinking about what it would be like to be a small business owner.

2. Seek the perspective of others who “have been there, have done that.”

3. You are drawn to magazine articles on entrepreneurship and small business ownership.

Those at this stage are considering taking action within the next 6 months.

The preparation stage (ready to change and make plans)

This stage of change is evident 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 to plan how and when the start-up process will begin. The motto of this stage 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 gets a workout every day as you look at all aspects of small business ownership.

3. You regularly experience both excitement and fear.

People at this stage intend to take action over the next month.

The action stage (make the change and take over)

This stage is characterized by a considerable amount of constant forward movement. All necessary paperwork is completed, business checking accounts are opened, the company name is registered, business cards are selected, the website is developed, and strategic action plans are drawn up. The motto of this stage is: Carpe Deum.

How to know if you are in the action stage:

1. You are in full action mode.

2. You spend most of the day focused on your new small business and you love it.

3. You are committed to carrying out your actions.

People at this stage are taking action.

The maintenance stage (continuous progress towards the goal)

At this stage, people are firmly grounded in the advancement and drive to launch their new small business. An ongoing commitment to keeping your small business success moving forward is the goal of this stage. The motto for this stage is: Heading west, ho!

How to know if it is in the maintenance stage:

1. Your business is running smoothly.

2. You have started to go back through the stages of change to further develop and expand your small business growth.

3. Actively seek new opportunities for change and growth.

Individuals at this stage are in constant drive.

In Praise of Prochaska and DiClemente’s Transtheoretical Model of Change

As has been shown, Prochaska and DiClemente’s transtheoretical model can be easily adapted to the stages of change that occur in small business start-ups. People considering whether or not they are ready to become small business owners no longer need to be left with the “yes” question. Rather, they can easily find a clear answer to where they are along the continuum of change. As a result, they themselves become powerful and effective agents of change. What’s more, they learn that change, while life-changing, can affirm and improve life.