Decision Making & Planning

Step 1: Identify and Define the Problem What is it that you need to make a choice about?

Step 2: List Possible Options or Alternatives Use brainstorming Keep going until you can’t think of any more options. Don’t be judgmental; this is just a gathering of ideas.

Step 3: Evaluate the Options What are the positive consequences? What are the negative consequences? Think about both short- and long-term

STEP 3 CONT: HELP STRATEGY H: HEALTHY—ARE THERE ANY HEALTH RISKS? E: ETHICAL—DOES IT REFLECT WHAT YOU VALUE? L: LEGAL—DOES IT VIOLATE LAWS? P: PARENTAL—DO YOUR PARENTS APPROVE?

Step 4: FACTORS GUIDING DECISION & THOSE AFFECTED Does it go against the “rules” governing your life? What else are you thinking about when making your decision? Who is your decision going to affect?

Step 5: Make a Plan and Commit Stick to the decision Commit to it to avoid moments of weakness or impulse

Step 6: Evaluate the Problem and Solution Did you make the right choice? Should you do the same in the future? Do you need a better plan in order to be able to make the right choice in the future?

REFUSAL SKILLS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES THAT CAN HELP YOU SAY NO WHEN YOU ARE URGED TO TAKE PART IN BEHAVIORS THAT ARE UNSAFE, UNHEALTHFUL, OR GO AGAINST YOUR VALUES (Strategy to avoid risky behaviors) EXAMPLES: SAY NO IN A FIRM VOICE EXPLAIN WHY—STATE FEELINGS, GOES AGAINST VALUES OFFER ALTERNATIVES MAKE AN EXCUSE LEAVE IF NECESSARY

SCENARIO YOU AND YOUR BEST FRIEND HAVE BEEN INVITED TO A PARTY. YOU ARE AWARE THAT THERE WILL LIKELY BE ALCOHOL AND DRUGS AT THIS PARTY AND THE PARENTS OF THE HOST WILL NOT BE HOME. WORD IS SPREADING THAT THIS WILL BE THE BEST PARTY EVER AND PEOPLE WOULD BE STUPID NOT TO GO.

APPLICATION OF DECISION MAKING MODEL STOP AND DEFINE PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO A PARTY WHERE THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE ALCOHOL AND DRUGS.

DECISION MAKING CONT. THINK ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS AND EVALUATE EACH OPTION OPTION 1: I COULD GO TO THE PARTY. CONSEQUENCES(SHORT AND LONG-TERM): Positive: My friends will think I am cool for going to the party. (Short-term) I may be accepted into a desired friend group. (Long-term) Negative: I could get in trouble with the law or my parents for being in a place with alcohol/drugs. (Short-term) I could not be considered for future scholarships or honors.(Long-term)

DECISION MAKING CONT. OPTION 2: I COULD FIND AN ALTERNATIVE, SUCH AS GOING BOWLING OR STAYING IN WITH FRIENDS AND WATCHING MOVIES OR GAMING. CONSEQUENCES: Positive: I could have fun with friends that I enjoy being around. (Short-term) I would not jeopardize my future goals. (Long-term) Negative: I might be called a loser for not going. (Short-term) I may lose friends or not be included or invited in the future. (Long-term)

DECISION MAKING CONT. WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY MY DECISION: Myself, parents, friends WHAT FACTORS ARE COMING INTO PLAY GUIDING ME TO MAKE THIS DECISION? My values & beliefs, parental disapproval/rules, my goals, peer pressure

DECISION MAKING CONT. ACT(DESCRIBE WHICH OPTION TO CHOOSE): I have decided to hang out with some friends and watch movies.

DECISION MAKING CONT. REVIEW THE DECISION: (WHY OR WHY NOT WAS THIS A GOOD DECISION?) I think that I made a good decision because I did not put myself in a possibly harmful situation and still had a good time hanging with friends.