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The 12 Steps are the backbone of Alcoholics Anonymous and serve as the framework for personal growth and change that supports long term recovery.
This article focuses on Step 6 of AA, which emphasizes becoming entirely ready to release character defects and prepare for lasting personal transformation through recovery.
This step helps individuals to let go of the negative traits and behaviors that block recovery by admitting personal shortcomings and seeking support from a Higher Power. This brings about healthy change.
What is Step 6 in AA?
Step 6 in AA reads, “ Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
In simple terms, you accept that your negative behaviors have contributed to your addiction, you recognize that these behaviors have negatively impacted your life and that you are ready, through the support of God or a Higher Power, to make a sincere change.
Remember that “entirely” does not mean all at once, that your work is perfect or that the path towards recovery has to be linear. Instead, it means you are willing to do the work to make the changes that are needed for sobriety, one day at a time.
Download the free Free Step 6 AA Worksheet here.
Become entirely ready with a simple, guided tool you can print or use digitally.
The Principle of Step 6 (Willingness to Change)
In AA Steps 4 and 5, you work toward gaining awareness of your defects. As Step 6 AA is explained, it builds on this awareness by admitting you are ready for change and freely asking God or the Higher Power to help you make these changes.
Willingness means that you are ready to let go of old ways of thinking and behaving and are open to learning and living a life of change. In simplest terms, “willing to be willing”.
What Does “Entirely Ready” Mean in AA?
“Entirely ready” means:
- Total Acceptance. You recognize your defects of character, have stopped making excuses for your actions and admit how they have contributed to your alcoholism.
- Willingness to let go of all defects.
- Open to transformation by working with your Higher Power to make positive changes in your life and recognizing that the process is not perfect.
- Trust. You are willing to admit you are powerless without God or a Higher Power and are open to change.
What Are Character Defects in Step 6 of AA?
In Alcoholics Anonymous, character defects are not moral failings but describe survival mechanisms that no longer serve you.
Some of these defects include:
- Fear
- Anger
- Selfishness
- Dishonesty
- Pride
- Resentment
- Self pity
How to Work Step 6 of AA
Working Step 6 of AA begins with reviewing your Step 4 inventory of defects. By reflecting on how those defects have harmed you and others, your focus shifts to humility and a willingness to change.
Working Step 6 is a continual process. It is important to remember that you are a human and perfection is not the goal. It requires a conscious effort, recognizing negative behaviors or defects can recur and that change does not come all at once.
By asking God or a Higher Power to help you let go of these behaviors and replace them with healthy ones, personal growth is possible.
One way to ask God or a Higher Power for the help you need is through the AA Step 7 prayer. This prayer asks the Higher Power to accept you, the good and bad, and help you to remove every defect of character that stands in your way of healing and spiritual awareness.
Tips for Working Step 6
Step 6 AA looks different from person to person. What is important is progress through the step and not perfection. The willingness to make change by asking God or a Higher Power to help you is foundational to AA Step 6.
Some ways to reflect on the work that you are doing are through activities such as:
- Practicing mindfulness
- Journaling
- Practicing gratitude
- Prayer
- Meditation
- Physical outlets like hiking or canoeing
Step 6 AA Worksheet (Free Download and Tutorial)
This Step 6 AA worksheet is a valuable tool to help you stay on track. Download this Free and Interactive Step 6 Worksheet today.
Along with worksheets for Step 4, Step 5 and Step 7, you can use this tool to:
- Review defects from Step 4
- Identify harm caused by each defect
- Acknowledge your feelings that are tied to these defects
- Visualize a life without defects
- Develop positive coping skills
Step 6 Prayer and Spiritual Practices
Step 6 of AA prepares you to let go of character defects and open yourself to change. Many people turn to the 6th Step AA prayer as a way of asking for willingness: “God, help me be ready to have these shortcomings removed.” This short prayer can serve as a reminder of humility and openness.
If you prefer a non-denominational path, meditation, affirmations, or mindful breathing can help build the same readiness. Simple affirmations such as “I am open to growth” or “I am willing to change” support the spirit of Step 6.
Whether through prayer, reflection, or mindfulness, the key is a daily practice that reinforces your commitment to inner transformation.
Step 6 in the Big Book and NA’s 6th Step
The Alcoholic Anonymous Big Book was first published in 1939 and is considered the basic text and foundation of the organization. It lays out the concepts used to help people recover from alcoholism.
Step 6 is mentioned on page 76 of “Into Action” and describes how, without willingness to make a change and humbly asking God or a Higher Power to help, is the only way to move ahead in your recovery journey.
Step 6 in NA (Narcotics Anonymous) is similar to Step 6 in AA. While the language is different, the principles of readiness and willingness to change are the same.
Common Misconceptions About Step 6
Many people misunderstand Step 6 of AA, thinking it requires instant perfection or the immediate removal of all flaws. In reality, Step 6 is about willingness and readiness to change, not about achieving flawlessness.
Myth: You need to be perfect or defect free.
Step 6 in AA does not require perfection. In fact, focusing on perfection is counterintuitive to the purpose of the step, which is the willingness to be entirely ready and open to change with help from God or a Higher Power.
Myth: “God” = only religious God
Step 6 in AA describes “God” to mean “as you understand him/her” or a concept of a Higher Power that means something to you or is greater than self will. You do not need to be Christian to participate in AA.
A Higher Power could be:
- A traditional religious God or deity
- A spiritual or universal force
- Nature
- Truth or wisdom
- Love, kindness and service to others
- Family or peer support
Myth: You only do Step 6 once
Step 6 is an on-going process. Perfection is not possible and not expected. AA Step 6 recognizes that change can be difficult and takes time, encouraging your evolving and improving life in recovery.
Step 6 and Step 7: The Connection
Steps 6 and 7 are connected and work together throughout your recovery process. Each Step focuses on transformation and humility using different tactics.
Step 6 focuses on being willing to take steps to have character defects removed, opening the door for personal growth. By comparison, Step 7 focuses on the action of humbly asking God or a Higher Power for help to remove your personal defects.
Dropping the Rock: A Metaphor for Step 6
In AA, “Dropping the Rock” is a metaphor for letting go of the burdens of fear, resentment and character defects that weigh you down during your recovery. The story describes how character defects and resentments are like holding onto rocks while trying to swim for a lifeboat.
The weight of carrying the rocks (things that no longer serve us) makes the journey toward the lifeboat (recovery) hard and may cause you to drown (continuing to participate in negative behaviors or relapse). In short, when we let go of our defects, the journey toward recovery is easier.
What Step 6 Looks Like in Real Life
When you see how Step 6 AA plays out in everyday situations, your goals become clearer. For example, someone who struggles with anger might practice pausing before reacting in heated moments.
This simple act shows a willingness to let go of explosive responses and replace them with calm reflection.
Another example is dishonesty. A person working on this challenge may begin journaling each night and doing a daily honesty check, holding themselves accountable for truthfulness in small and big matters.
These practices don’t remove the defects instantly, but they demonstrate readiness to change and openness to growth.
Download the free Free Step 6 AA Worksheet here.
Become entirely ready with a simple, guided tool you can print or use digitally.
Troubleshooting: If You Are Stuck in Step 6
AA Step 6 is a continuous process. Sometimes it can feel like you are stuck or not making progress. These feelings can arise due to fear of change, resistance to letting go or unclear Higher Power beliefs.
To overcome these feelings, remember to be “willing to be willing” and appreciate the hard work you put into the micro practices that equal big change. When you feel this way, talking to your sponsor is a good way to move ahead.
FAQs About Step 6 of AA
“Entirely ready” indicates that you are totally committed and willing to let God or a Higher Power remove your personal defects that are needed to make real change.
It does not mean that you are striving for perfection.
“Willing to be willing” means that you will do whatever it takes to recover and understand that perfection is not possible. It recognizes that a person is ready to make changes, even if it is a little at a time.
No, in fact, perfection is impossible and not the goal. When you focus on doing Step 6 perfectly, you are not embracing the process of change.
What matters is the willingness to make the changes that are needed for recovery and recognizing that it is a process that takes time and hard work.
There is no set prayer for Step 6. However, “Dear God, I am entirely ready to have you remove all of these defects of character” is often used as a reflection when working this step.
You are ready for Step 7 when you show a genuine willingness to let go of character defects, honestly identify your defects that contribute to your addiction, understand that you can not do this alone and need God or a Higher Power to help you and sincerely want to make a change.
Yes, although the exact wording differs. The foundation of both is asking God or a Higher Power to remove your defects of character that contribute to your addiction.
A relapse does not mean that you have failed. Relapse can happen to anyone.
Relapsing can be a way for you to recognize the character defects that you need to focus on. Through your willingness to continue to do the work, you are moving forward.
What Comes After Step 6?
Step 6 goes hand in hand with Step 7 in AA. In Step 6, you acknowledge that you are willing to make a change after identifying your personal defects.
In Step 7, you ask God or a Higher Power to remove them. As the “Dropping the Rock” metaphor details, recovery is much easier when you let go of that which does not serve you.
Explore All 12 Steps
For a full view of the AA program, explore each step below:
- Step 1 of AA: Powerlessness – admitting alcohol has control
- Step 2: Higher Power – finding belief in restoration
- Step 3: Surrender – turning will over to a Higher Power
- Step 4: Moral Inventory – fearless self-examination
- Step 5: Admitting Wrongs – honesty with self and others
- Step 7: Humility – asking for shortcomings to be removed
- Step 8: List of Amends – preparing to repair relationships
- Step 9: Making Amends – direct action to repair harm
- Step 10: Daily Inventory – how to take a daily inventory
- Step 11: Prayer & Meditation – seeking spiritual growth
- Step 12: Service – carrying the message to others
Find Meetings and Professional Help
Sober.com offers a directory for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings across the country, where you can locate a meeting that meets your needs.
Along with peer support, a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling, relapse prevention planning and aftercare is the foundation you need for long term recovery.
Reach out today. A brighter future is possible!
Ready to progress on your journey?
Download the Step 6 Worksheet and start your recovery journey today.
Cary brings over three decades of nursing expertise as an LPN and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. She is also working towards a Master’s degree focused on public health policy. Her professional journey has been dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities for both adults and children.
View ProfileSylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer at Rehab.com, is a board-certified addiction medicine specialist with over a decade of experience treating individuals with addictions in diverse clinical settings including residential treatment programs, detox centers, outpatient clinics, and correctional facilities.
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