DECISION-MAKING AND GOAL-SETTING

OBJECTIVES Students will be able to list in sequential order the 6 steps involved in the decision-making process Students will be able to apply the steps in a dilemma situation Students will be able to describe the criteria of a SMART goal Students will be able to write a goal and set up an action plan for achieving their goal

AGENDA Luck-of-the-Draw Lecture/ppt introduction to decision-making Partner work on decision-making Lecture/ppt on goals Partner work on Goals Wrap-up

STEPS TO DECISION-MAKING I. STATE THE SITUATION (DEFINE THE PROBLEM) II. LIST ALL POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS OR CHOICES: A.__________B._________C.____________

(CONT) CHOICE A Pros Cons Choice B Choice C III. CONSIDER ALL POSSIBLE OUTCOMES, GOOD AND BAD. LIST AS “PROS” AND “CONS” IN EACH COLUMN CHOICE A Pros Cons Choice B Choice C

(cont) IV. CONSIDER YOUR VALUES AND UNDERLINE THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES LISTED UNDER EACH CHOICE. You may also want to ask yourself the following questions about each choice: Does it protect or promote Health and safety? Is it Ethical (demonstrate good character)? Is it Legal? Would my Parents or other responsible adults approve?

(cont) V. MAKE A DECISION BASED ON ALL OF THE ABOVE AS TO WHICH DECISION IS THE MOST RESPONSIBLE, AND ACT ON IT. VI. EVALUATE YOUR DECISION. Later, look back and reflect on the actual outcomes. What was the outcome? How did you feel about your decision? Would you make the same choice again next time? What did you learn? Did your decision effect others?

Common Decisions: What to wear to school What to eat for lunch Which homework to do first What to do on the weekends What to do during study hall What movie to see

More Serious Decisions What classes you want to take in high school Who you want to date If you will experiment with drugs/alcohol What career path you want to take

Let’s Give it a Try! Using the handout: Fill out all the sections of the decision-making process with a potential real-life situation you or a friend might encounter and need to go through the steps (10 minutes)

Skill: Goal Setting What is goal setting? Working toward something you want to accomplish Why set goals? To help identify what you want from life Help you use your time and energy wisely Goals in one area will help you with goals in another To feel a sense of accomplishment

Buzz Words SMART Plan Barriers Progress Evaluate

GOAL SETTING LONG-TERM GOALS SHORT-TERM GOALS Reached over weeks, months, or years SHORT-TERM GOALS Reached in short period of time (days or weeks) Create stepping stones to long-term goal (“milestones on a journey”) Provide a way of measuring and achieving success

Steps to Reaching Goals Set your SMART goal. What’s your plan? What are your barriers? Create solutions to the barriers. How will you reward yourself? How are you progressing?

Everyday Goals: Getting homework done early Winning a game/competition Going to the gym/exercise Household chores

Bigger Goals Raising your average Graduating Going to college Making a high school team Successful career Having a family

Health Goals! Going to the gym Weight loss/diets Remain abstinent from sexual activity Remain drug free Time management

SETTING GOALS STEP I: DECIDE ON A GOAL AND WRITE IT DOWN Example: (The goal should be SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, and ACHIEVABLE within a TIME FRAME) Example: At the end of 8 weeks, I will be able to run 3 miles without stopping or walking

Remember SMART! Goals Should Be: Specific: who, what, where, when? Measurable: how much, how many? Attainable: Do you have the skills to reach it? Realistic: is it something you are actually capable of doing? Timely: when will you be able to reach this goal by?

No-no words for goals More Less Many Better worse Good Fewer Most Least

SETTING GOALS (Cont) STEP 2: LIST THE STEPS YOU WILL TAKE TO REACH YOUR GOAL (These need to be SPECIFIC) Example: A. I will begin by running/walking 1 mile, working up to 3 miles of running and walking B. First, I will increase the number of miles I go, then I will concentrate on walking less and running more

Setting Goals (cont) Step 3: IDENTIFY SOURCES OF HELP AND SUPPORT Example: I have a friend who agreed to exercise with me.

Setting Goals (cont) Step 4: SET A SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD TO MEET YOUR GOALS Example: I will work toward my goal over the next 8 weeks

Setting Goals (cont) Step 5: SET UP CHECKPOINTS TO SEE HOW WELL YOU’RE DOING Example: Checkpoints: 2 weeks: run/walk 2 miles 4 weeks: run/walk 3 miles 6 weeks: run 2 miles/run:walk 1 miles 8 weeks: run 3 miles without walking or stopping

Step 6: REWARD YOURSELF AFTER YOU HAVE ACHIEVED YOUR GOAL Setting Goals (cont) Step 6: REWARD YOURSELF AFTER YOU HAVE ACHIEVED YOUR GOAL Example: If I achieve my goal, I will buy some new sneakers. (Many times, reaching the goal is reward enough in and of itself)

REVIEW: ACTION PLAN STEP 1: DECIDE ON A GOAL & WRITE IT DOWN STEP 2: LIST THE STEPS YOU WILL TAKE TO REACH YOUR GOAL STEP 3: IDENTIFY SOURCES OF HELP AND SUPPORT STEP 4: SET A SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD TO REACH YOUR GOAL STEP 5: SET UP CHECKPOINTS TO SEE HOW WELL YOU’RE DOING STEP 6: REWARD YOURSELF! 

Let’s Practice! With a partner: Each of you write one goal for yourself but help each other so the goal will meet the criteria of a SMART goal: Specific Measurable Achievable, action-oriented Relevant Time