1. DECISION-MAKING AND GOAL-SETTING

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. (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

6. (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?

7. (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?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. Buzz Words
SMART
Plan
Barriers
Progress
Evaluate

13. 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

14. 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?

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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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?

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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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)

26. 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! 

27. 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