Step Six of the 12 Steps states: “We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, this step is presented briefly—so briefly, in fact, that it’s often overlooked. But let’s take a moment to explore what Step Six truly asks of us and why it’s such a pivotal part of the recovery journey.
What Does “Entirely Ready” Really Mean?
Notice how the key phrase here is “entirely ready.” That means being 100% committed and willing—no hesitation, no conditions, no holding back, no ifs ands or buts. As we’ve discussed in earlier steps, recovery is a serious commitment. You can’t expect full-time results from part-time effort. Each step requires complete willingness to let go of pride, ego and resistance.
Step Six challenges us to bring that same level of commitment. It asks us to be fully prepared to let our higher power remove all of our character defects—yes, even the ones we might still be clinging to, whether consciously or not.
Understanding Character Deficits
So, what exactly are character defects? These are the traits and behaviors that hinder our growth and harm our relationships. Common examples include:
- Dishonesty
- Arrogance
- Anger
- Fear
- Stubborness
Even though we have looked at some of these areas before (like fear and resentment in Step Four)—Step Six invites us to go deeper. It’s about taking an honest inventory of our harmful thoughts, emotions and behaviors, and developing a sincere willingness to let them go.
Why Willingness Matters
The time and need for us to hold onto our destructive patterns has passed. Nothing changes unless we’re willing to change. Step Six is about cultivating that willingness. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress and openness. We must be ready to surrender the destructive patterns that no longer serve us.
This step prepares us for what comes next: Step Seven, where we actively ask our higher power to remove these defects. But before we can do that, we must first be entirely ready to let them go.
Step Six is more than a checkpoint—it’s a turning point. It’s where we stop just identifying our flaws and start preparing to release them. We practice humility and connection to our higher as the willingness comes to let go of these defects.
