I agree that we can work on our defects. This happens in both six and seven. Step six has do with our willingness action; step seven has to do with God's help to make our actions bear fruit (change, growth). In my experience, my attempts to change on my own only go so far. When I really try to stop practicing a defect of character and start doing things differently, it sometimes backfires. It's like trying get a song out of your head: the more you think about trying to get the song out of your head, the more you hear it. Character defects can be like that. So, I'm not saying that I just throw up my hands and say God hasn't removed that one yet, but I realize that my will can only God so far and then I need help. When I recognize this, it gives me a good dose of humility and a little bit of patience with myself.