Step 10
“Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”
“Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. We must not cherish a resentment.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 84
Step 10 is the maintenance step for daily life. It keeps the wreckage from piling up again.
What it means
“Continued” — this is an ongoing practice, not a one-time event. Steps 1–9 cleared the past; Step 10 keeps the present clean.
“This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 84
“Personal inventory” — a daily (or in-the-moment) check: Where was I resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid today? Where did I owe an apology?
“We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 84
“Promptly admitted it” — the word promptly matters. Don’t let wrongs accumulate. Address them the same day, or as soon as you see them.
“Love and tolerance of others is our code. And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone — even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 84
Two forms of Step 10
Spot-check inventory — in the moment, when you notice you’re off. Anger flares, fear takes over, you say something you shouldn’t. Pause, recognize it, correct it.
“When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86
Evening inventory — a brief daily review. What happened today? Where was I in the wrong? What do I need to address?
“Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86
Common struggles
“I forget to do it.” Tie it to something you already do — end of day, before sleep, after dinner. Habit stacking helps.
“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85
“I’m too hard on myself when I do it.” Step 10 is not self-punishment. It’s honest accounting. Assets count too — where did you do well today?
“We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85
“I admit I’m wrong but nothing changes.” Admission without changed behavior is incomplete. Step 10 includes making it right, not just noticing it.
“We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined. But this is not all. There is action and more action.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 88
Practical suggestions
- Keep a brief journal — even three sentences at the end of the day
- When you owe an amends, make it the same day if possible
- Include gratitude in your evening review, not just wrongs
“On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86
Speaker talks on Step 10
- The Tenth Step and Ongoing Recovery — Roy K
- Steps 10–12 — Don M
- AA Back to Basics (Part 4) — Wally P & Brenda C
Related tags
daily-maintenance · resentment · step-9 · step-11
All Steps
Step 1 · Step 2 · Step 3 · Step 4 · Step 5 · Step 6 · Step 7 · Step 8 · Step 9 · Step 10 · Step 11 · Step 12