FOURTH STEP INVENTO RY - Minnesota Recovery

1 FOURTH STEP INVENTORYT hese 4th step worksheets use the wording from Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book) pages63-71. Text in italics is quoted from the Big Book. When the word optional is used in theworksheets, it means that the Big Book suggests doing this but does not suggest writinganything down. However, many people who have used these worksheets found it helpful towrite down their flaws and their specific , these worksheets are meant to be helpful, but do not feel restricted by can get the latest version of these worksheets and other AA materials at worksheets are not officially produced or approved by Alcoholics Anonymous. They have been circulating unofficiallyamong AA members for a long time in various versions. Their origin is unknown to the producer of this 1/1/98 Helpful Hintsother flaws and assets.

2 It is in this FourthStep that you begin to discover your values--what you consider right and wrong,functional and dysfunctional behavior--andhow you live up to your ACTION: on the following list, checkall of your defects and all of your is an inventory of both bad and goodcharacteristics. Then discuss your defects(with your best example of each) on theReview of Flaws :before you start thiswritten FOURTH Step, read pages 63-71 in theBig Book and the FOURTH Step in the TwelveSteps and Twelve inventory is about who you arenow, not who you were when you weredrinking and taking drugs. Be careful,however, not to blame all past bad behavioron drinking and drugs if the seed of that badbehavior still exists in inventory is not an exercise inbeating yourself up. Be scrupulously honestbut be fair to yourself.

3 Inventory yourstrengths as well as your defects.(212) be discouraged when yourcharacter defects are not immediately liftedafter you have completed your 5th Step--thatis the work of the 6th and 7th following checklist merely suggestswhat some people consider flaws. You mustdecide how they fit with your own moralcode. Do not be limited by this list--add yourGlossary of Words Used in Steps Four and FiveMoral list of personality defects, violations of moralprinciples, defects in character, maladjustments,and dysfunctional temporary or continual state of Fear. thought or consideration of essential characteristic of a vigor or firmness, especially as acquiredthrough or concerned only with one s ownaffairs; same as of something necessary for completeness; flaw;weakness, fault; same as person who seeks only or mainly to further hisown act or practice of telling a lie, or of cheating, deceiving , stealing, much concerned with one s own welfare orinterests and having little or no concern for others;same as , done wrongly, an error or short of what is expected or required; sameas emotion marked by alarm, dread, anxiety,agitation, uneasiness, apprehension, , improper; not suitable or to the list on following page:1Dr.

4 Bob s FOURTH Step List; in He Sold Himself Short, (Alcoholics Anonymous ,p. 292)2 Seven Deadly Sins (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 48)3 Clarence Snyder s FOURTH Step List (one of the original 40 members of AA, see Home Brewmeister, Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 297-303)4 Boy Scout Law, Robert Binkey's The Official Boy Scout Handbook (10th edition,1990)(so? .. what? ..)- 1 -Checklist of Flaws and Assets4 Character DefectOpposite Asset 4forgetfulresponsiblesarcastic1praising, tolerantaggressive, belligerentgood-natured, gentlegluttonous2, excessivemoderateself-important3humble, modestangry2forgiving, calm, generousgossiping3closed-mouth, kind, praisingself-centeredcaring of othersapatheticinterested, concerned, alertgreedy2,3moderate, generous, sharingself-destructive, self-defeatingself-fulfillingapprehensiv e, afraidcalm, courageoushateful3forgiving, loving, concerned for othersself-hatingself-accepting, lovingargumentative, quarrelsomeagreeablehypersensitivetolera nt, doesn't personalizeself-justifying3admitting wrongs, humblearrogant, insolentunassuming, humbleill-tempered1, bitchygood-tempered, calmself-pitying3grateful, realistic, acceptingattacking, criticalfair, self-restrainedimpatient3patientself-rig hteoushumble.

5 Understandingavoidantfaces problems and actsimpulsive, reckless|consistent, considered actionsself-seeking3selfless, concerned for othersblockinghonest, intuitiveinconsideratethoughtful, considerateselfish1,3altruistic, concerned with othersboastfulmodest, humbleindecisive, timidfirm, decisiveshyoutgoingcareless1careful, painstaking, concernedindifferent, apathetic, aloofcaringslothful (lazy)2,3industrious, taking actioncheatinghonestinflexible, stubbornopen-minded, flexiblespiteful, maliciousforgivingcompetitive (socially)cooperativeinsecure, anxiousself-confident, securestealinghonestcompulsivefreeinsinc ere3, hypocriticalsincere, honeststubbornopen-minded, willingconceited1,self-importanthumble, modestintolerant1tolerant, understanding, patientsullencheerfulcontradictory, oppositional|reasonable, agreeableirresponsible, recklessresponsiblesuperior, grandiose, pretentioushumblecontrary, intractable, pigheadedreasonableisolating, solitarysociable, outgoingsuperstitiousrealistic, no magical thinkingcontrollinglets go, esp.

6 Of other's livesjealous1,3trusting, generous, admiringsuspicioustrustingcowardlybrave4 judgmentalbroadminded, toleranttensecalm, serenecritical3non-judgmental, praising, tolerant,justifying (own actions)honest, frank, candidthinking negatively3being positivecynicalopen-mindedlack of purposepurposefultreacheroustrustworthyd eceitfulguileless, honestlazy, indolentindustrious, conscientiousundisciplined, self-indulgentdisciplineddefensiveopen to criticismloudtasteful, quietunfairfairdefiant, contemptuousrespectfullustful2healthy sexualityunfriendly, hostile, bitchyfriendly4denyinghonest, acceptinglying3honestungratefulthankful, gratefuldependentaccepts help but is self-reliantmanipulativecandid, honest, non-controllingunkind, mean, malicious, spitefulkind4depressed, morose|hopeful, optimistic, cheerful4masked, closedhonest, open, candidunsupportive of otherssupportivedirty, poor hygieneclean4naggingsupportiveuntrustwor thy, unreliable, dishonest|trustworthy4dishonest3honestna rrow mindedopen mindeduseless, destructivehelpful4disloyal, treacherousfaithful.

7 Loyal4obscene, crudemodest, courteousvainmodest, humbledisobedientobedient4vindictiveforg ivingover emotionalemotionally stabledisrespectful, insolentrespectful, reverent4violentgentleperfectionisticrea listic goalsenablingsetting boundaries, tough lovevulgar3politepessimistic|realistic, hopeful, optimistic, trustingenvying2,3empathetic, generous, admiringwastefulthrifty4possessivegenero usevasive, deceitfulcandid, straightforwardwillfulaccepting of the inevitableprejudicedopen-mindedexaggerat inghonest, realisticwithdrawnoutgoingprocrastinates 3disciplined, acts promptlyfaithless, disloyalreliable, faithfulwordy, verbosefrank, to the point, succinctprojecting (negative)clear sighted, optimisticfalsely modesthonest, has self-esteemOther dysfunctional ways of acting, feeling orthinking which cause me or others pain (specify inthe following review of Flaws).

8 Rationalizingcandid, honestfalsely prideful2,3modest, humbleresentful1,3, bitter, hatefulforgivingfantasizing, unrealisticpractical, realisticresisting growingwilling to growSee source footnotes on page , courageousrude, discourteouspolite, courteous4- 2 -Instructions for CompletionFirst, we searched out the flaws in our make-up which caused our OF FLAWS(optional)FLAWGive your best example of this specific flaw in your 3 -FLAWGive your best example of this specific flaw in your 4 -FLAWGive your best example of this specific flaw in your 5 -RESENTMENTSDo not be restricted by this list. It is just to help you get started. List your resentments on the next FriendsAcquaintancesAuntsBest FriendsChildhood FriendsClergyCo-WorkersCousinsCreditorsD octorsEmployeesGirl FriendsHusbandsIn-LawsJudgesLawyersLife- long FriendsParole OfficersPoliceProbation OfficersSchool FriendsTeachersUnclesWivesINSTITUTIONSA uthorityBibleChild ProtectionChurchCorrectional SystemEducation SystemGovernmentLawMarriageHealth/Mental Health SystemNationalityPhilosophyRacesReligion SocietyPRINCIPLESA dulteryDeathGod-DeityGolden RuleHeavenHellHomophobiaJesus ChristLife After DeathOriginal SinRetributionSatanSeven Deadly SinsSinTen Commandments- 6 -Instructions for CompletionComplete each column top to bottom before proceeding to the next , for instance, fill in all the names of those you are resentful at before filling in the column for the cause of 1In dealing with resentments we set them on paper.

9 We listed people, institutions or principles with whom we were 2We asked ourselves why we were 3On out grudge list we set opposite each name our injuries. Was it our self-esteem, our security, our ambitions, ourpersonal, or sex relations which had been interfered with?Column 4 Referring to our list again. Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our ownmistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened?Column 5 This Column is optional. List specific other defects to show your participation in the from left to right we now see the resentment (Column 1), the cause (Column 2), the part of self that had been affected(Column 3), and the exact nature of the defect within us that allowed the resentment to surface and block us off from God s will(Columns 4 and 5).

10 COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2 review OFRESENTMENTS SELF COLUMN 3 COL. 4 COLUMN 5 Affects MyMy SpecificOwnDefectsMistakes(optional) I m RESENTFUL at:The Cause:1234567- 7 - I m RESENTFUL at:The Cause- 8 - I m RESENTFUL at:The Cause- 9 -FearsDo not be restricted by this list. It is just to help you get started. List your fears on the next figuresbeing alonebeing deceivedbeing found outbeing myselfchangecomplimentsconfrontationcred itorsdeathdenial, mydisapprovaldiseasedivorceembarrassment employmentfacing myselffailurefearfeelingsfinancial insecurityflyingfourth & fifth stepsfuture, thegetting fat or thinGodgoing homegoing out on a whim having childrenhomelessnesshomosexualityhonesty humiliationhurting othersI m a fraud and others will find outincarcerationintimacyIRS, theletting golivinglonelinesslosing hopelovemediocritymoneyneeding anyonenot being good enoughnot being happynot being likednot being perfectpeople (specify who)