1. Making Decisions and Setting Goals
Chapter 2
Making Decisions and Setting Goals

2. Do Now
Write a list of all the decisions you made today from time you woke up until now. Then chose one of your decisions and focus on the process.

3. Chapter 2
Objectives:
Identify the steps in the decision- making process.
Explain why it is important to practice decision making.
Develop and implement an action plan for setting a goal.

4. Making Decisions and Setting Goals
Health Concepts
Decision making is a multi-step process that can be used to make responsible health choices.
Practicing your decision-making skills can prepare you to handle real-life situations.
Setting and achieving goals is important to the quality of your life.
A key to effective goal setting is learning to develop and implement an action plan.

5. Making Responsible Decisions
Imagine finding gift-wrapped boxes at your doorstep along with a note that states, “Whichever box you choose will determine how your life proceeds.” Which box would you open? Would you just grab the one nearest to you and hastily tear off the ribbon? Would you instead take your time and carefully inspect each box, looking for subtle clues as to its contents?

6. Making Responsible Decisions
Making decisions about major life issues must be done carefully and deliberately. Just as you would slow down and look for approaching cars when arriving at a busy intersection, so you will need to approach life decisions with caution. You will need to “look in all directions” for possible risks, and then act decisively and without hesitation once the risks have been identified and weighed.

7. Making Responsible Decisions
The most crucial step in all decision-making is to distinguish between ethical and unethical options.
Decisions and actions should only be based on the choices that are among the ethical options.

8. 3 Types of Decision Making Styles
Inactive Decision Maker
Someone who fails to make choices
Procrastinates in making a decision until one option plays itself out
This type of decision maker typically has difficulty developing self confidence and feel that they have no control over their destiny

9. 3 Types of Decision Making Styles cont…
Reactive Decision Maker
Someone who allows peers, siblings, parents etc… to make decisions for them
RDM’s are easily influenced by what other people think, do or suggest
Easily persuaded by peer pressure, develop a negative self-esteem, and need to be liked by others

10. 3 Types of Decision Making Styles cont…
Proactive Decision Maker
Someone who follows the 8 steps of decision making process and assumes responsibility for the consequences of their actions
PDM’s take on responsibility rather than being influenced by external conditions
Experience feelings of inspiration because they are in control of their own destiny

11. The Decision Making Model
One of the traits of a health-literate person is being a critical thinker and problem solver- having the ability to evaluate information from reliable sources and then make a responsible decision.
The decision-making model can help you act in a way consistent with this trait. The model is designed to help you make decisions that will protect your rights, health, and self-respect, while respecting the rights, health, and self-respect of others.
There are eight basic steps in making an important decision.

12. Making Decisions and Setting Goals
Activity 1 – Turn to a Neighbor
What are the different steps involved in decision making?

13. The Decision Making Model
Step 1: State the Problem
Step 2: Gather Information About the Problem
Step 3: List pros and cons of the problem
Step 4: Develop alternatives
Step 5: Analyze alternatives
Step 6: Make a decision based on what is best for you and the situation
Step 7: Implement your decision
Step 8: Evaluate end results of decision made

14. Decision Making Model Activity 2 - Group Work
Use the Eight Step method for this activity. Participants will divide into small groups and each group will be given a certain problem. (e.g., a friend wants to run away from home). Together, the participants in the group will go through each of the eight steps and discuss how they would help to solve the problem.
This will be worth 10 points of your grade. 

15. Activity 2 cont.
In the examples listed below, write your response for each statement using the 8 step method. All steps must be clearly listed in your response.
Group 1: Friend gets pregnant and does not know what to do.
Group 2: Friend wants to drop out of school.
Group 3: Friend wants to start drinking and using drugs because his/her friends are doing it.
Group 4: Friend decides to cheat on an exam
Group 5: Friend feels pressured into having sex with a boyfriend/girlfriend

16. Setting Goals
Having and setting goals is one way to help shape your life in positive directions.
A goal is something you aim for that takes planning and work.
Setting realistic goals and achieving them leads to increased self esteem

17. Setting Goals
Do you view your life as a series of events that simply happen to you or do you see it as a work of art that you are constantly shaping and creating?
Think about your plans for the future. What do you want to do with your life? What do you hope to become someday? Do your plans include further education and a family? What type of job do you hope to have? What do you hope to have accomplished by the age of 20? What kind of life do you want to be able to look back on when you are 70?

18. What Will the Future Bring?
Complete the hand out
In your groups, go over the decisions you made for each question and why you feel they are important
Be prepared to present to the rest of the class

19. Kinds of Goals
Every goal involves planning, and planning involves time.
Some goals can be achieved fairly easily and in a short period of time. Such short-term goals include getting your homework done by nine o’clock.
Other goals, such as becoming a teacher or a professional athlete, pose a greater challenge. Such long-term goals take a longer period— sometimes months or even years—to achieve.

20. Kinds of Goals
Many long-term goals can be achieved by breaking them down into short-term goals. In order to meet the long-term goal of playing on the school ice hockey team, for example, you must first satisfy the beginning goal of becoming a strong skater.
What kinds of short- term goals do you think might be necessary to pursue a career in politics? What short-term goals might help a person work toward the long-term goal of becoming a professional athlete?

21. SMART When Setting Goals be sure to follow the SMART guidelines
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Action-oriented
R: Realistic
T: Timely

22. Goals and an Action Plan
While goals can differ in the amount of time and degree of effort necessary to reach them all can be achieved by creating an action plan.
Like the decision-making process, an action plan is a multi-step strategy for identifying and achieving goals.
An Action Plan consists of six action-based steps that can help you accomplish your goals.

23. Action Plan Select a goal to work on
In selecting a goal, you need to be specific and realistic. Also, state your goal as something positive. Do not settle for just “not failing.” Focus your energies instead on succeeding. This will help motivate you to work toward achieving your goal.

24. Action Plan List what you will do to reach the goal
Look for ways to break your goal down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
If your goal is to become a long- distance runner, begin by training yourself to run shorter distances.

25. Action Plan Identify sources of help and support
Identify sources of help and support. Sources of support and encouragement are important to achieving any goal.
Such sources might include friends, family members, teachers, or neighbors.

26. Action Plan Set a reasonable time frame for reaching your goal
When first setting out toward any goal, you should establish a reasonable time limit for reaching that goal and put it in writing.

27. Action Plan Establish checkpoints to evaluate your progress
As with establishing a time frame, such checkpoints should be reasonable and realistic

28. Action Plan Reward yourself after reaching your goal
Once you arrive, congratulate yourself and enjoy the personal satisfaction.
One way is to buy yourself something you have wanted.
Knowing that a reward waits at the end of the journey will help you work that much harder.

29. Other Guidelines for Setting Goals
Make certain your goal will not harm your health or anyone else’s.
Be sure that your goal shows respect both for you and for everyone else affected by it.
Set a goal because it will help you grow, not because you want to outdo someone or win someone else’s attention.
If you fail to reach your goal, use what you learn from the failure to set a new goal.

30. Goals For Life What are your personal goals right now—today?
If your answer is that you do not have any, ask yourself why. If you do not have positive goals, you need to ask yourself: Why?
How can I remove the roadblocks that stand in the way of my having positive goals?
Remember, goal setting, like decision making and the other health skills you learned about in this chapter, can move you toward the ultimate goal of total health and wellness.

31. Chapter 2 Lesson 2 Review
What are the steps in the decision-making process?
Why are questions about consequences so important when using the decision- making process?
Julius, who is 16, has ambitions to become a physician some day. Create an action plan Julius might follow in reaching this life goal.