A choice you make between 2 or more possibilities Decision Making Part of growing up is learning to be responsible for yourself and what you do. Showing that you can be responsible shows that you can make good decisions. Sometimes, you will make bad decisions. We all do. You show responsibility for your choice by trying to fix the decision and make the wrong right. This shows that you can keep making good decisions. Be in charge and in control of your own life. Don’t blame your choices on others or let others make your decisions. This shows irresponsibility and immaturity. For example, if you don’t follow the decision-making process, you might choose to default or just go with what happens. You may not be happy with that choice. You might copy others, whether that choice is right for you or not. You might decide on an impulse, not knowing if the choice is right or not. However, you choose or choose not to choose, YOU are the one who must live with the consequences. For small decisions, like buying a treat, it may not matter. But for big decisions, making a poor choice can change or impact your life in ways that you don’t like. (For example: whom you date, marry, where you go to school, etc.) You have to live with your decisions. Choosing to take responsibility for your decisions means that you learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them. You can continue to make choices. If you don’t take responsibility for your decisions, that means someone else has to and your freedom and independence can be restricted ie, getting grounded, going to jail, etc. A choice you make between 2 or more possibilities

What influences your decisions?

Other Commitments

Self Image

Parental Expectations

Society’s Expectations

Peer Pressure

Steps to Making a Decision Step 5: Evaluate results of the decision and accept responsibility for results of the decision. Step 4: Make a decision, plan and act on the decision. Step 3: Explore and evaluate possible solutions. Step 2: Brainstorm possible solutions. Step 1: Identify the problem. EVALUATE ACT EXPLORE BRAINSTORM IDENTIFY Buying a Laptop … Decisions are a part of life. You will always make decisions. Some decisions are easy to make; others are difficult. Not making a decision is a decision. Different people have different ways of making decisions. Small impulse decisions probably won’t do any harm. Bigger decisions require a more organized way of choosing and require more thought and analysis. The decision-making process 1. Define the problem. What is it? 2. Identify alternatives/choices. What can you do? Usually more choices than you think. Talk to others and explore options to help you see more choices. 3. Compare possible outcomes. What are the consequences of each choice? List the pros and cons of each choice in a T-graph to help you visually see. All decisions will have good and bad consequences. Do the results match your goals? 4. Make the decision. What are you going to do? Follow your priorities. Pick the choice that is best for you. Just do it, and accept the consequences. 5. Evaluate the results. Was it a good choice for you? What did you learn? What will you do next time. Were the outcomes what you expected? Comparing can help you see your strengths and weaknesses, and help you make better decisions in the future.

Apply decision making process to your own life…… Example : Which party should I go to Should I be home by curfew When should I start Dating When should I get a job Which college should I go to Which dress should I buy?

Step #1 Identify the Problem Which College Should I attend?

Step #2: Brainstorm Possible Solutions Write down a list or possible ideas or ways to solve the problem. Example: Dixie College Utah State University Weber State University Boston College

Step #3: Explore and Evaluate Look at each possibility and write down the pros and cons or each. DC Pros Cons USU Pros Cons WSU Pros Cons BC Pros Cons Pros and Cons should include costs, distance from home, friends choices etc.

Step #4: Make a Decision and Act on It! From your list of choices select one that seems the best to you. Act!

Step #5: Evaluate Look At Results of Decision