Autobiography of Change in Five Short Chapters

This poem remains my absolute favourite description of the process of change. So often people believe it is simply 'a flick of a switch' in their brain. You read something, have an insight ... an intellectual insight ... and believe all will be different by changing your thinking. This is indeed true - a change of mindset helps tremendously. Depending on what specifically needs to be different it is not always complete with a mindset change. It is possible but not always...
It is important to recognize that a change in your behaviour patterns do not always follow a quickly as a mindset change. Portia Nelson in my opinion beautifully describes the process. I can confirm this process personally and professionally with my clients. (Suzie Doscher)


Autobiography of Change in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

Chapter One
I walk down the street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in
I am lost... I am hopeless
It is not my fault
It takes forever to find a way out


Chapter Two
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I pretend I do not see it
I fall in again
I cannot believe I am in the same place
But it is not my fault
It still takes a long time to get out


Chapter Three
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I still see it there
I still fall it … it is a habit
My eyes are open
I know where I am
It is my fault
I get out immediately


Chapter Four
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it


Chapter Five
I walk down another street


For exercises to help master those difficult moments in the process of change, check out:
BALANCE - A Practical Handbook for Life's Difficult Moments
(Revised 2018 2nd Edition)