Which stage involves planning and preparing for action in the near term?

• A. Action
• B. Pre-contemplation
• C. Preparation
• D. Contemplation

Answer: (C)

In the stages of change, the preparation stage is when someone intends to take action soon and begins planning for it. They may set a concrete start date, outline small steps, gather necessary resources, and share their plan with others. This differs from contemplation, where a person is thinking about changing but hasn’t formed a specific plan or timeframe. It also differs from pre-contemplation (no consideration of change), action (actively changing behavior), and maintenance (sustaining the change over time). For example, someone planning to start an exercise routine might schedule workouts, buy gear, and set a start date during this stage.