How to Develop Your Decision-Making Skills

Hmmmmm… Think of the last little decision you made today... Think of the last little decision you made today... –What was easy about it? –What was hard about it? –How did you make your choice? Think of the last BIG decision you made in the past two weeks…. Think of the last BIG decision you made in the past two weeks…. –What was easy about it? –What was hard about it? –How did you make your choice?

Learning Goals I will be able to use a decision making process to develop my skills. I will be able to use a decision making process to develop my skills.

The Situation You have to bring home a letter from your teacher about a bad grade, which needs to be signed by a parent. You think about forging a signature. You have to bring home a letter from your teacher about a bad grade, which needs to be signed by a parent. You think about forging a signature. What would you do? What would you do?

The Situation What is your groups decision? What is your groups decision? How did you come to that decision? How did you come to that decision? What are the consequences of your decision? What are the consequences of your decision? What makes this decision difficult? What makes this decision difficult?

What is Decision Making? The cognitive process of reaching a decision.

White Boards Why do we need to make decisions? Why do we need to make decisions? Why is decision making easy? Why is decision making easy? Why is decision making difficult? Why is decision making difficult?

Why do we need to make Decisions? To achieve your goals. To achieve your goals. To avoid mistakes. To avoid mistakes. “No one makes the right decision every time. But by developing your decision-making skills, you can increase your success rate!“

What does it take to be a good Decision Maker? Intuition: The ability to know or feel something without using logic or reason. Intuition: The ability to know or feel something without using logic or reason. Analytical Skill: The ability to use logic to examine and measure a problem. Analytical Skill: The ability to use logic to examine and measure a problem.

Easy Choices Some choices are easier to make than others. Some choices are easier to make than others. Sometimes you must make a decision from the choices given to you. Sometimes you must make a decision from the choices given to you. In the choices below, choose the best one for you. In the choices below, choose the best one for you. hamburgers or hot dogs cats or dogs summer or winter playing a game or riding a bike

The Process 1. Does a decision need to be made? 1. Does a decision need to be made? 2. Stop and think before you act. What do you need to know to make a safe decision? What can help? What could get in the way? 2. Stop and think before you act. What do you need to know to make a safe decision? What can help? What could get in the way? 3. Do you need help with this decision? Who can help? 3. Do you need help with this decision? Who can help? 4. What choices do you have? 4. What choices do you have? 5. What are the possible outcomes for each of these choices? 5. What are the possible outcomes for each of these choices? 6. What’s the healthy and safe choice for you? Why? 6. What’s the healthy and safe choice for you? Why? 7. Are you happy with the results of your decision? 7. Are you happy with the results of your decision?

You and your good friend Sam both like to swim. Sam discovered a lake that is not far from your house, so the two of you hike over to check it out one sunny Saturday afternoon. When you get to the lake, the water looks cool and inviting. There’s a rope tied to a branch of a tree that hangs over the lake. Sam says, “It would be fun to swing out on that rope and drop into the water. Come on. You go first.” What will you decide to do? You and your good friend Sam both like to swim. Sam discovered a lake that is not far from your house, so the two of you hike over to check it out one sunny Saturday afternoon. When you get to the lake, the water looks cool and inviting. There’s a rope tied to a branch of a tree that hangs over the lake. Sam says, “It would be fun to swing out on that rope and drop into the water. Come on. You go first.” What will you decide to do?

Anatomy of a Decision Step 1: Define the problem. Step 2: Reevaluate the Situation. Step 3: Gather Information. Step 4: Think of Alternatives. Step 5: Choose an Alternative. Step 6: Put Your Decision to Work!

Making Choices With your group, go through the decision making process to come out with a solution, both positive and negative. With your group, go through the decision making process to come out with a solution, both positive and negative.

Decision Making in Groups Pros: A wider range A wider range More energy More energy Extra motivation Extra motivation Cons: Feel Pressure Feel they can’t be honest Socialize Rely on others

Decision Making Dos Be honest. Be honest. Accept the responsibility. Accept the responsibility. Use time wisely. Use time wisely. Have confidence. Have confidence.

Decision Making Don’ts Have unrealistic expectations. Have unrealistic expectations. Make “snap” decisions. Make “snap” decisions. Take unnecessary action. Take unnecessary action. Fool yourself. Fool yourself.

Making Sound Decisions Take responsibility Take responsibility Use the 6-step approach Use the 6-step approach Take full advantage Take full advantage “MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS - AND TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE!”

White Board How can our choices, both good and bad, impact others’ lives? How can our choices, both good and bad, impact others’ lives?

What I Choose Affects Others Everything we do makes a difference in someone else’s life. Everything we do makes a difference in someone else’s life. Good choices may let others’ lives get better. Good choices may let others’ lives get better. Bad choices may cause problems for others. Bad choices may cause problems for others. Good choices and considering others before you make a choice will help you lead a happier, healthier, and safer life. Good choices and considering others before you make a choice will help you lead a happier, healthier, and safer life.

Learning Goals Revisited I will be able to use a decision making process to develop my skills. I will be able to use a decision making process to develop my skills.