The Key Principle
The key principle of Step Six is readiness.
Last Thursday my sponsor asked if I was ready to work Step Six. I said yes immediately – of course I'm ready let's keep moving forward. But she asked me to sit with that question for a week. To really examine whether I'm ready or just eager to finish the Steps quickly.
The key principle of Step Six is readiness. Not action. Not completion. Not perfection. Readiness. And sitting with her question this week I've realized I'm not as ready as I claimed. I say I want my character defects removed but do I? Really? Some of them feel essential to my survival.
My people-pleasing keeps me safe from conflict. My controlling gives me the illusion of power. My perfectionism protects me from criticism. These defects serve purposes even though they also cause pain. Am I ready to let them go? Not just willing to say the words but genuinely ready to live without them?
Step Six won't let me rush past this question. It asks me to examine my readiness honestly. To acknowledge where I'm resistant. To stay with the process until real readiness emerges not just performative willingness.
When my sponsor asks if I'm ready for Step Six, I can resist the urge to say yes automatically. I can take a week to really examine: Am I ready to let go of this defect or do I still need what it provides? Honest resistance is better than false readiness.
