How to Work Step Six in AA

Step Six is another of AA's "action steps." In this step, you are trying to be entirely ready to let God remove your character defects. Like all other steps (except Step One), you cannot do it perfectly. A sincere effort is all that is required.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Before attempting Step Six, be sure you have a sponsor who has worked the step before you and agrees that you are ready to take it. Read Chapter 6 in the book "Alcoholics Anonymous," paying special attention to the pages pertaining to Step Six.
2. In order to begin Step Six, you need to know what your character defects are. By looking at your Fourth Step and the patterns that weave through it. Your sponsor will also be helpful in helping you discover what your defects are. List these defects as you unearth them.
3. Once you have your list, think about the character defects you enjoy. Which ones are you ready to get rid of? Which ones do you still enjoy? Can you find it in your heart to let them go? Ask yourself how far you are willing to go to enjoy the freedom that the Sixth Step promises.
4. For the defects you are clinging to, pray for the willingness to let them go. For the ones you are ready to get rid of, do nothing for now. You will address them in Step Seven.
5. Make another list, this one showing the defects you are ready to get rid of.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't overanalyze the "entirely ready" part of this step. Just ask yourself if you want to be happy or not. If your answer is yes, ask yourself if you can give this up to be happy.
• This step doesn't take long, but like many of the remaining steps, will be ongoing. Don't waste too much time on this step.
• Sometimes you will find meetings that only focus on the Sixth and Seventh Step. Many people call these meetings "Advanced AA." They can be helpful.