Step 6: Becoming Ready

Step 6 — Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Willingness. I became entirely ready to have these defects of character removed.

Your inventory's 'my part' column keeps repeating the same few words — that's not an accident, those are your defects of character. Step six asks a sneaky-hard question: are you actually willing to live without them? Some defects feel useful. Anger feels like protection; control feels like safety. Readiness means wanting what's on the other side more than what the defect pays.

What to read alongside Step 6

📚 Companion reading: Big Book page 76, first paragraphs; the Twelve and Twelve's chapter on step six.

Big Book — Chapter 6 — Into Action (steps six and seven) page 76

Two short paragraphs that carry the whole hinge of change.

Twelve & Twelve — Step Six essay pages 63–69

The willingness question — harder than it looks.

What working Step 6 looks like

These are the reflection questions 1more24 asks you at this step. The answers underneath are written examples — one person's, invented for this page.

Reread your inventory's 'my part' entries. Which words keep showing up? List your defects plainly — no lawyering.

Dishonest turns up eleven times. Afraid turns up more than that. Then selfish, then the particular one where I make myself the injured party so I never have to put it right. Those are mine, and I'm tired of defending them.

Pick your two favorite defects. What do they still pay you? What do they cost the people around you?

Self-pity pays me out of ever having to try. Dishonesty keeps everyone comfortable, me included. The cost is that nobody I love gets the real version of me, so nothing they say ever lands — they've been talking to a story.

Invented, not anyone's real writing — and it couldn't be. Every member's journal is encrypted with their own password, so this application cannot read a single word of it. Step 6 asks 1 more question once you're signed in.

Working Step 6, not just reading it

1more24 gives this step a private journal, reflection questions written for it, and a companion who knows where you are in the work. Everything you write is encrypted with your own password — nobody else can read it, not even us. Free and open to all.

Start free — no invite needed