“It’s Not that Some People Have Willpower and Some Don’t ” – Step 6 Begins

Man praying over a glass of scotch w/ sfz title

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“It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not.”

– James Gordon, M.D. – holistic healer

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What self-beliefs do you have that are holding you back from living to your full potential?

Question: Why do you think being ready to change is sometimes harder than using willpower?

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People Get Ready – Al Green (4:33)

Pencil Sketch Animation on Getting Ready(1:49)

Ancient Mystic Preparation for Sleep (4:08)

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Comments

11 responses to ““It’s Not that Some People Have Willpower and Some Don’t ” – Step 6 Begins”

September 1, 2026

E-Dawg

For me it’s easier to rely on the will of my higher power I follow that direction and so far so good

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September 1, 2026

Sabrina J

I pray to my Higher Power to do his will, this is a step toward being completely ready and not relying on willpower.

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September 5, 2025

Eli????????????????????

It’s been much easier to be willing than it was to try to imagine what I must be. That’s all. There’s less resistance for me to meet in the first place.

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September 2, 2025

Elexi W.S.A.

What own beliefs do you have that are holdin’ you back from livin’ to full potential.
And or why do you think bein’ ready to change is sometimes harder than usin’ willpower.
I think some beliefs that hold moi back are sometimes seein’ what others are doin’, whether good for me or not, and then spirallin’ down. I definitely want some things to change, and think willpower could be someone just seekin’ improvements, without the full change. Fully changein’ and refraining from harmful acts for instance could be harder than willpower, because it’s completely quittin’.

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September 2, 2025

Sabrina J

When I have felt ready or thought that using will power both have been insufficient to do so over the duration. For a day, week, maybe a month? Sure, but what about for life? Every day, day after day with no other support. That is why when we get in the rooms and listen, we hear the old timers. Those with 10, 20, 30, 40 years of sobriety. We find them in the rooms. In community of other sober people that are there on those days where desire and willpower alone are not enough.

In sobriety, we are all one moment away from relapse. In the rooms, we find the support and community to not pick up.

Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

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September 2, 2025

E-Dawg

When I got to treatment being ready to change was a lot easier than using my willpower because I’ve been trying to use my willpower to stop my entire life and could never do it. And that line being entirely ready was explained to me in a way that made total sense. It’s not an overnight remedy it’s a daily Journey…

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September 1, 2020

Joel Relampagos

What self-beliefs do you have that is holding you back from living your full potential?

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September 1, 2012

Margot E.

Step Six is a lifelong process…interesting because I felt stuck here until I got it right. I can move on now and come back to this Step as often as I need it – as long as I am doing it in conjunction with Step Seven. I went to my meeting with my manager and for the first time did not close the door and did not feel like “poor me.” I behaved like a rational, sensible, powerful grown ass woman that I am – only possible because of this Step. Woo Hoo!

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September 3, 2011

Margot E.

Nothing less than everything. These quotations actually made me catch my breath at the sheer scope of what is required. I see now that minding other people’s business can have no place in my life. I have to hand it all over – that is so scary. What if…what if…what if. What if I’m wrong about having a Higher Power? What if it doesn’t turn out “right”? I have walked to the edge of the cliff and see a wondrous panorama before me. Now it is time to step off the cliff. Please catch me God. Why would you not? You have caught me every time before.

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September 1, 2011

Slim Jim

Ya it is.

I’m at the “snake trails” where I used to escape when I was a kid. It’s exactly how some things stay the same. This month it’ll be interesting to see what specific changes I’m willing to allow my HP to guide me through.

This is a great spot btw. I can here nothing but distant whistle trills from football practice.

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September 1, 2011

Easy does it

Entirely ready… Easy to say but when those defects come popping up it’s like amnesia sets in. That’s why it’s important for me to remember that I get a DAILY reprieve not weekly not monthly not yearly… Spiritual life is where it’s at baby!

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