Step Work

Set-up – Check-in – Debrief

Set-up (morning)

  1. On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day.
  2. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.
  3. In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision.
  4. We relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle.
  5. We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems.
  6. We ask especially for freedom from self-will.
  7. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped.
  8. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing.
  9. There are many helpful books also. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.
  10. So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love.
  11. In meditation, we ask God what we should do about each specific matte****r. The right answer will come, if we want it.
  12. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick.

Check-in (During the day):

  1. As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.
  2. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.”

Debrief (At Night):

There are only two problems in life: being upset (‘agitated’) and  not knowing what to do (‘doubtful’). This single solution works for  both. Apply it constantly.

When we retire at night, we constructively review our day.

1. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid?

2. Do we owe an apology?

3. Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?

4. Were we kind and loving toward all?

5. What could we have done better?

6. Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time?

7. Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?

But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others.

After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.

Essentially, I’m looking for where I went wrong in belief,  thinking, and behavior, and then looking for solutions. Don’t analyze  the resentments and fears. Resolve them using the tools set out in  previous steps. Resentment is about playing God: demanding that the  world confirm to my ideals. Fear is about self-reliance: when I rely on  God for direction and strength, I can master any situation confidently,  cheerfully, and successfully. It’s not about the content, so don’t  analyze: disclose!

Maybe write down the answers to the questions, but don’t feel you have to.

Definitely write down the corrective measures: you’ll need these for tomorrow.

5 to 10 minutes is good.

NB  the review can be done at the end of the working day or first thing in  the morning instead, before the set-up. It can also be done after a  difficult situation or whenever you realize you have not done a review  in a while.