01/09/2026
My Spiritual Toolkit: Step 10, Taking Personal Inventory
By Greg F.
If you stay sober long enough, there will come a time in your recovery when you reach Step 10: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” Let’s explore more closely what this means.
In the AA Big Book, there is a perfect example of questions we should ask ourselves when taking Step 10:
“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? Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time?” (86)
Think of “personal inventory” as a way to check on your little “spot” in the universe. Many even refer to regular personal inventory as “spot check” inventory. The first part of Step 10 is easy. If you prefer, it comes in the form of a basic worksheet.
Here is an example of the worksheet that I use. It originates from the “Joe and Charlie Big Book Study,” and it is by no means a requirement for staying sober. In fact, most group members probably do not do a written 10th step. It is only what I was taught to do by my sponsor, and I’ve made it a practice.
Your new, sober life won’t be void of difficulties. We pray each day that “God, take away our difficulties,” as we say the third-step prayer. But each day we will continually be faced with the decision to turn our will and our lives over to the loving care of a higher power.
Know that God’s Will isn’t always clear. We change jobs and relationships and attend funerals in recovery, too. Through all this, we can check to see if we are doing our part to stay connected to our higher power by filling out the daily inventory worksheet.
The worksheet consists of a checklist that features sets of opposing characteristics beneath two headings: “Self-will” and “God’s Will.” Checking off our most recent characteristics reveals the truth about who we actually are versus what we may “think” or how we “feel” today.
A “10th step sheet,” as this worksheet is also called, helps to remind us that in recovery we are living in God’s Will, even when we don’t necessarily “feel” like it. When filling out a 10th step worksheet, I can always find one characteristic of God’s Will to check off.
For instance, have I said any prayer today? If so, I can check off several characteristics of God’s Will, including “Faith,” “Trust,” “Humility–Seeking God’s Will,” “Courage,” and “Taking Action.”
Have you shared or listened today at a meeting? If so, check off “Giving or Sharing,” “Patience,” “Tolerance,” “Love–Concern for Others.” Did you make the coffee? Check “Doing for Others.”
The second part of Step 10 is that the personal inventory allows me the opportunity to admit on paper when I was wrong. Was I “Selfish,” “Self-Seeking,” “Inconsiderate,” “Dishonest,” “Fearful,” etc. today? Do I owe someone an apology or amends? The sooner I make the amends, the sooner I can be free of the resentment.
The daily spot check gets me freer, faster so my days and my life can be fuller of the good stuff.
Next to each characteristic that I check, good or bad, I was taught to make a little note about the specific situation. Keep in mind that while the point is not to do this all day or all night long, there is no use mindlessly blundering through it. Like anything, it works better with clear intentions. Fifteen minutes is all it takes most days.
Lastly, I try to focus on the “God’s Will” column predominantly when I do these worksheets. I focused too heavily on the negative characteristics while in active addiction and alcoholism. My sponsor offered me the guidance to stay positive in recovery, and I offer that suggestion to you, as well.
However, if you have any questions about taking daily inventory, talk to your sponsor and friends in recovery about it. It makes for a great meeting topic.
