{"id":17944,"date":"2025-11-11T14:48:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T19:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/cfar\/2024\/03\/conversations-about-change-strengthening-commitment-in-planning\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:37:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:37:45","slug":"strengthening-commitment-in-planning-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/cfar\/2025\/11\/strengthening-commitment-in-planning-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Strengthening Commitment in Planning (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are many ways to create a change plan and it is exciting when a client is very motivated to make this happen. However, it is also important to make sure the plan is reasonable and there are possible sub-goals along the way. We discussed this in an earlier blog since a client may have a strong desire or need for change to occur, but the key is to make sure the client is successful and not taking on too much.<\/p>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n

We also know that change is more likely to occur gradually, so we want to make sure the client doesn\u2019t become discouraged if they are not progressing fast enough towards their goal. One way to work with an extremely motivated client is to perhaps have an \u201cultimate goal\u201d and the \u201csteps\u201d needing to be taken to get there. This can be very helpful to keep the client committed to their plan, especially if it is early in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Below are a few examples from Miller and Rollnick of what \u201ctaking a step\u201d towards an \u201cultimate\u201d goal might look like in planning. The \u201cultimate\u201d goals are quite specific, but they are also quite ambitious. Therefore, breaking the goals down into smaller, more realistic, and gradual steps can keep the motivation and commitment high:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Taking a step<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\r\n