Chapter 8 Developing Your Decision Making: Strategize Your Game Plan “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.” —Les Brown

Student Learning Outcomes Describe and explore your own decision-making process. Apply the principles of decision making to your career search. Write your goals and objectives. Make tentative career/education/training choices. Define and use stress management techniques. Set and manage financial goals.

Decision Making The process of identifying and the selecting of alternatives based largely on the preferences of the decision maker – your goals, lifestyles, values, and past experiences. Decisions are evaluated by their probability of success or effectiveness.

Barriers to Decision Making Attitudes shape your behavior and ability to make confident decisions. Poor outcomes result from: A negative attitude Limited knowledge Lack of personal responsibility for consequences

Common Decision-making Styles Planning (Rational/Linear) Intuitive Impulsive Compliant Delaying Fatalistic Agonizing Paralytic

Questions to Ask When Stuck What are the assumptions (attitudes) affecting my decisions? What are my feelings regarding these decisions? Why am I clinging to behavior that prevents me from making this decision? What further information do I need in order to generate alternatives?

Factors Adversely Affecting Decisions External Factors Family expectations Family responsibilities Cultural stereotypes Male/female stereotypes Survival needs Other Internal Factors Lack of self-confidence Fear of change Fear of making a wrong decision Fear of failure Fear of ridicule Other

Conditions Needed for Change Dissatisfaction with current condition Concept of something better waiting in future Belief that there is a way to get there Premise: The benefits of a change outweigh the costs of making that change.

Choice, Not Chance: Decisions Are in Our Power Define goal Assess alternatives Gather information Assess outcome probability and desirability Take action Refine goal

Rational/Linear Decision Making Also known as Planning. A planning approach can reduce discomfort and uncertainty. Allows for the gathering of information for making informed decisions.

Intuitive Decision Making Uses the right brain, which thrives on imagination and creativity and adapts to change spontaneously. Leans towards decisions that feel right. These types of decision makers are adept at finding opportunities. View things globally.

Goal and Objectives Goals Broad statements of purpose General and long-range Ongoing process Objectives Specific and practical steps toward goals Short-term Visible and measurable

Goal Setting Strategy #1 Consider what you are willing to give up to get what you want. #2 Give yourself a realistic timeline to reach the goal. #3 Set goals high. #4 Reward yourself after completing each objective and after reaching each goal.

Managing Financial Resources Set financial goals. Save money. Use credit cards wisely. Purchase insurance as an investment. Learn to budget.

Stress Management Positive stress can increase motivation, energy, and perception. Negative stress can reduce effectiveness and can cause anxiety, frustration, apathy, lowered self-esteem, aggression, and depression. Become adept at integrating stress-management techniques into your life.

Deciding on a Major Common to feel anxiety, pressure from parents and family when undecided. Start by choosing an area of general interest. Consider personality, values, interests, skills when narrowing choices. Use college Career Center resources and counselors.

Choosing a Major Understand that most majors don’t lead to clear career paths. Every major can generate numerous career opportunities. Google “What can I do with a major in” for sites outlining career options for majors.

Chapter 8 Vocabulary Review Decision making Attitudes Life development process Risk taking Planning Intuitive Goals Objectives Budget Stress: positive and negative