Chapter 1.This is a great analogy, which for me, describes the process of change the we all experience as we journey through life……… let’s take a closer look…..
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.
Chapter 2.
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 cant believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in… its a habit.
But, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4.
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5.
I walk down another street.
Chapter 1 is where we initially find ourselves, we have a identified that we need to change, “I fall in. I am lost…” but have not taken responsibility for, “It isn’t my fault“. This is the first step in the process of change is to recognise that we have a problem.
In Chapter 2, we fall in the hole, we cannot believe that we’ve fallen in the same hole one more time! We still haven’t taken full responsibility for changing, “it isn’t my fault.” and “It still takes a long time to get out.” Why do I keep falling in this hole? Who’s doing this to me? If other people would just do things in the right way my life would be much easier.
In Chapter 3, we finally realise that we’re part of the problem and decide to take personal responsibility for our situation, “It is my fault. ” and “I get out immediately.“. We realise that we did something, or failed to do something, which has caused us to land in the same hole again. We recognise the pattern and begin to ask questions such as, “what am I thinking and doing that causes me to land in this hole?” Instead of looking for ways to change others we begin to look for ways to change ourselves. We finally accept personal responsibility for falling in the hole!
In Chapter 4 we begin to change our thinking and behaviour and soon we’re have new and different experiences. You have gained a bigger perspective and a deeper understanding of yourself.
In Chapter 5 we have grown and matured, we’ve moved on, we’re waling down new and more interesting streets…!