Two scales from 0 to 10 that help assess motivation and evoke change talk. The importance ruler: how important is change for the client right now? The confidence ruler: how confident are they that they can do it? The key moment: the question is not "Why not 10?" but "Why not 0?" — it is the second variant that launches change talk.
Step-by-step guide
- Introduce the ruler: "On a scale from 0 to 10, how important is it for you to change [concrete behavior]?"
- The client names a number (for example, 6)
- Ask the key question: "You said 6. Why not less — say, 2 or 3?"
- The client explains why it is important — this is change talk
- Summarize the change talk
- Ask the second question: "What could raise this number from 6 to, say, 8?"
- Repeat for the confidence ruler
When to use
- When assessing readiness for change
- To evoke change talk in clients who struggle to speak about motivation directly
- As an entry point into the conversation about change
- In a mismatch between importance and confidence
Key phrases
On a scale from 0 to 10, how important is it for you to change your eating right now?
Follow-up questions
You said 5. Why not 1 or 2? What keeps you above?
What would be needed for this number to rise from 5 to 7?
Alternative phrasings
On a scale from 0 to 10, how confident are you that you can change this?
Warnings
- ⚠️ Never ask "Why not 10?" — it evokes sustain talk
- ⚠️ Do not use the rulers mechanically — they work only in the context of conversation
- ⚠️ Do not hand out the rulers in writing without a conversation — the effect is lost
Source: Miller & Rollnick, 2013
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.