Making Good Decisions

 A decision is a choice that is made.  What is a good decision?  A decision in which you have carefully considered the outcome of each choice. Good decisions are responsible decisions.

 An influence is something or someone that makes you want to choose one thing over another. Family Friends Media

 What is a consequence? The result of an action you take.  Some consequences happen fast and some take a while. (short term/long term)  Does every decision have a consequence?  They can be positive, negative, or neutral.  Positive-help you or others  Negative-harm you or others  Neutral –neither help nor hurt you or others.

Identify the Problem Identifying the problem can be the most difficult step in a decision. If you worry about the wrong problem, you won’t make the best decision.

 What is a value? Beliefs that you consider to be of great importance.  Values represent the kind of person you want to be. Honesty, etc…  Values come from your traditions, culture, background, and religion.  Character is the way a person thinks, feels and acts. Good character helps make good decisions.  Decisions based on good values almost always lead to good results.

 An option is one of several choices that you can make.  The best way to list all options is Brainstorming.  Brainstorming is thinking of all possible ways to carry out your decision.

 When making any decision you must consider all the consequences good and bad.  Which consequences have the best result?  Which consequences are bad?  Answering these questions will help you make good decisions.

 You’ve thought through your options and weighed the consequences.  Think about which option will bring about the best consequences for you and others.  Choose the option that represents your values.  Take your time and choose wisely.  No matter what you choose, the option is something that you have thought about and acted on with the best intentions.

 Once you have acted on a decision, you should stand back and look at your results.  Ask yourself the following questions  Did I uphold my values?  Do my parents approve?  Do I feel good about my action? If you answered yes to these questions, you’ve probably made a good decision

 What is Peer Pressure? Feeling that you should do something because your friends want you to.  Is peer pressure positive or negative?  Positive peer pressure can help you make the right decision.  Negative peer pressure can keep you from doing the right thing.  What are refusal skills? Strategies you can use to avoid doing something that you do not want to do.

 Avoid dangerous situations.  Say “No”  Stand your ground.  Stay focused on the issue.  Walk away.  You need to practice these skills so you are comfortable with them.

 Having a support system will help you deal with making decisions.  When you support your friends, you are creating positive peer pressure. That is true friendship!

 A goal is something that you work toward and hope to achieve.  Short-term goal-goals that do not take long to reach. Ex. Homework.  Long-term goal-are built from short-term goals and can sometimes take years to reach.

 What is an interest? Something that you enjoy and want to learn more about.  A new hobby, or maybe to try painting or photography.  Think of goals you might have because of your interests. These goals you will want to reach.  What is important to you?  What resourses do you need? A resource is something you use to help you. A mentor is a person who can give you good advice  Accomplishment is a step toward your goal.

 Reaching goals can take a long time.  List steps that you need to take to reach your goal.  Make a chart that shows each step.  Check them off as you go.  Reward Your Success!  Rewaard is a prize you give yourself for accomplishing a task.  Do not be afraid to change your goals.