Decision Making Process 1 Everyday routine decisions should

Decision Making Process

1. Everyday routine decisions should be consistent with our VALUES AND GOALS • Important decision should be made by an evaluation of all of the OPTIONS

Types of Decisions 1. Habitual Decisions – automatic decisions that require little thought 2. Daily Decisions – decisions you make every day 3. Long-term Decisions – those that affect goals or future choices generally based on an Evaluation of all options 4. Decision by non-decision: - Because of a set of circumstances beyond control one must choose that decision 5. Letting others decide for you: - One will have a hard time later in life

How do you make a decision? • Stewed over it – What to do on a date • On a whim • Out of guilt – Helping parents • Based on other’s expectations – Buying clothes • Out of habit – Grades, Making choices • Using your values – Going to school, eating • Based on tradition – Sunday dinner/breakfast – Stealing, marriage • Using facts and logic – Purchase, not smoking After a careful review of all of your options

5 Steps to Making a Decision EVALUATE ACT EXPLORE BRAINSTORM IDENTIFY

STEP #1: DEFINE the Problem – Recognize the problem – Ask questions about dangers and importance • STOP or Continue with the process – Write all known facts and information • Write down a problem (ideas: ) I want a candy bar

The Six Important Decision You’ll Make In High School YOU Keystone Parents What type of relationship will you have with your parents? Friends What type of friends are you going to have? Education What are you going to do about your education? Dating Who will you date? What are you going to do about pre-marital sex? Self-Worth Will you Choose to Like Yourself? Addictions What is going to control your life?

STEP #2: BRAINSTORM the possible solutions – Think of solutions, choices, options based on your goals and values – Write a list of these without judgment of your thoughts and ideas Mounds Almond Joy Rolo Snickers 100 Grand Symphony Hersheys Milky Way M&M’s Twix What kind of candy bar? • Write down 3 brainstormed possibilities.

STEP #3: EXPLORE and Evaluate the options. – Further consider, rank best to worst, evaluate reasons, narrow down. – Talk with people you trust about this decision. – Look at options from all angles. • Write down 3 pro’s and 3 con’s for your possible solution to your problem. -Want caramel, chocolate, something crunchy -Don’t want coconut, cookie, nuts, plain

• STEP #4: Make a decision and act upon it. – List steps to complete the decision – Do what needs to be done, but be flexible • Write down your decision that you made. • Identify 4 steps that must be taken to act upon this decision I want a 100 Grand Candy bar -pick up candy bar -Pay for candy bar -Open candy bar -Eat candy bar

For Every Act There Is A Consequence. When You Choose the Act, You Choose The Consequence.

STEP #5: Look at the results of the decision and EVALUATE THEM. – Would you make this decision again? – What did you learn? – What would you do differently? I wanted a candy bar – and my decision was very satisfying – YUM!

Tear a Piece of Paper Why don’t people make decisions? Write a mistake you made on one of the ½ sheets. Write what you learned from the mistake on the other ½. Which ½ is more important – Why? Crumple up and throw the unimportant 1/2 away.

Accept personal responsibility for the results of your decisions, behavior, and actions.