To work a step, means to understand its principles, and apply them to daily living. The term “work” is appropriate because the process involves a lot of effort.
As important as meetings are, a 12 step program is more than just meetings. Working the program also means using the 12 Steps, reading the Big Book, changing our attitudes and behavior, doing service work, and carrying the message of recovery to other alcoholics inside and outside the fellowship.
It is not coincidental that the term “work” is used to describe the application of the 12 Steps to our daily lives. Bill Wilson writes,
“All of the 12 steps require sustained and personal exertion to conform to their principles…” (12 Steps and 12 Traditions) While recovery itself may be by grace, the joy of recovery is earned by hard work.
That work is defined by the steps.
“Working a step” or taking a step” consists of 2 phases: The 1st phrase is gaining an understanding of what the step means. It could be called “understanding the step.” It involves reading the Big Book plus talking with other group members. The objective of this phase is to understand the step as it relates to you and to feel it emotionally. It is not enough to merely appreciate the meaning of the step intellectually.
The 2nd phase of working a step is a conscious effort to change our behavior in accordance with the principles of the step. This phase could be called “applying the step.” In other words, it is the application of the principles of the step to daily life. This phase of the step involves attending meetings to hear how others apply the steps, prayer and meditation, and daily, disciplined effort.
It means asking ourselves, “How does this step apply specifically to my life?” and “How do I change my behavior to live its principles?” It is not easy to change the ingrained habits, thought patterns, and perceptions of a lifetime. Yet that is exactly what the 2nd phase of working the steps is about.
R 
This is one of the best and most insighful articles I have ever read in practicing the steps to recovery one day at a time.
When I go to a meeting the most important thing I can do is share my experience, strength and hope with others, especially newcomers, in my undersanding of the steps and how I apply them in my life on a daily basis. I also do this with my sponsees. This process is critical in carrying the message to the still suffering alcoholic.
If we don’t do this in meetings we get stuck in the problem and not the solution.
I never get tired of or bored when a speaker shares how he/she solved their life problems or recovered via the steps. This is the essence of what we have…. a common solution to our common problem.
Mike B.
Oliver , BC.
Hi Mike.. Thanks for stopping by. I thought this submission was a big help in understanding step work.
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