Name That Stage
"I don`t think my habit needs to change."
Precontemplation
For the past three weeks, Jay has put his phone away during homework and used a timer to get started.
Action
When someone sees no reason to change, which helps more: arguing with them or asking permission to share an observation?
Asking permission to share an observation.
True or False: Everyone moves through the stages at the same speed.
False
Which turns “I’ll do better at school” into a specific action?
A. “I’ll take school more seriously.”
B. “I’ll work on homework for 15 minutes after dinner.”
C. “I’ll stop getting distracted.”
D. “I’ll improve my grades soon.”
B. “I’ll work on homework for 15 minutes after dinner.”
"Part of me wants to change, but part of me wants to keep things the same."
Contemplation
Marcus stays up gaming and feels tired at school. He says, "My sleep is fine. I`m not changing anything."
Precontemplation
A person feels torn about changing. What could help them decide?
A. Ignoring the decision
B. Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of changing or staying the same
C. Letting friends decide for them
D. Focusing only on what could go wrong
B. Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of changing or staying the same
True or False: You can be in action for exercise and contemplation for changing your sleep habits.
True
Which response best completes this plan: “If I reach for my phone during homework, then I will…”?
A. Quit and try again tomorrow
B. Check it quickly each time
C. Tell myself to have more willpower
D. Put it out of reach until my homework timer ends
D. Put it out of reach until my homework timer ends
"I`m getting ready: I picked a goal and made a plan."
Preparation
For eight months, Luis has followed a bedtime routine. Before a busy school week, he adjusts his schedule to protect it.
Maintenance
Someone is getting ready to start a new habit. Which plan is most useful?
A. “I’ll try harder sometime.”
B. “I’ll change everything tomorrow.”
C. “I’ll choose a specific step, a start time, and a backup plan.”
D. “I’ll wait until I feel completely motivated.”
C. “I’ll choose a specific step, a start time, and a backup plan.”
True or False: Thinking about change and actually making the change are the same stage.
False: contemplation and action are different.
A friend says, “I know staying up late hurts my mornings, but nighttime is when I talk to my friends.” Which response shows you understand both sides?
A. “You want more energy, and you also want time with your friends.”
B. “If you cared about school, you’d go to bed earlier.”
C. “Everyone gets tired. Don’t worry about it.”
D. “Just tell your friends you can’t talk anymore.”
A. “You want more energy, and you also want time with your friends.”
"I`ve started doing things differently."
Action
Andre wants to handle disagreements differently. He writes down a pause strategy and plans to practice it this week.
Preparation
Your friend has started making a change. How can you support him without policing him?
A. Ask what help he wants and encourage his effort
B. Check on him constantly
C. Criticize him whenever he struggles
D. Tell him exactly what he must do
A. Ask what help he wants and encourage his effort
True or False: One setback erases all previous progress.
False: experience and skills still count.
Someone follows his plan for a week, then misses two days. What is the most useful next move?
A. Wait until he feels fully motivated before restarting
B. Make the plan stricter to make up for the missed days
C. Identify what got in the way, adjust the plan, and restart with a manageable step
D. Start over with a completely different goal
C. Identify what got in the way, adjust the plan, and restart with a manageable step
"I`ve kept this change going and am working to stick with it."
Maintenance
Eli thinks starting homework earlier could reduce stress, but he also likes relaxing immediately after school. He hasn`t decided.
Contemplation
Someone has maintained a new habit for several months. Why is planning for stressful situations still helpful?
A. It guarantees they will never struggle
B. It means they no longer need support
C. It proves the habit was a bad choice
D. Stress can bring back old patterns, and a plan can help them stay on track
D. Stress can bring back old patterns, and a plan can help them stay on track
A teammate says, “If someone really wants to change, motivation should be enough.” Which response is most accurate?
A. Motivation determines readiness; skills and support become useful only after the new habit is established.
B. Motivation matters, but skills, support, stress, and environment also affect whether someone starts and sustains change.
C. Motivation matters most when starting; once someone reaches maintenance, their environment has little effect.
D. Motivation and support can help, but a setback usually means the person wasn’t committed to changing.
Answer: B
Why: Wanting to change helps, but people also need practical ways to act on that intention and handle obstacles. A setback alone does not reveal how committed someone is.
Which plan includes a specific action, a likely obstacle, and a practical backup response?
A. “I’ll walk after school. If it rains, I’ll try to stay motivated.”
B. “I’ll walk for 10 minutes after school. If it rains, I’ll do a 10-minute indoor workout.”
C. “I’ll exercise for 10 minutes whenever I have time. If I miss it, I’ll exercise twice as long tomorrow.”
D. “I’ll walk for 10 minutes after school and track my progress every Friday.”
B. “I’ll walk for 10 minutes after school. If it rains, I’ll do a 10-minute indoor workout.”