Decision Making

7th gradeCareer Discovery

Decision Making

How to make effective decisions?

MSCD7-1: Students will identify and evaluate work ethics and behavior characteristics needed for success in a career and in life.

• Perform activities that will develop effective communication and decision making skills.

• Explore group dynamics and interpersonal skills in order to foster teamwork.

Steps of Decision Making

• 1. Define the Problem/Want/Need

• 2. Gather Information about the problem, want or need

• 3. Evaluate all of the Information (pros & cons)

• 4. Select Best Choice for you

• 5. Take Action – Do it

• 6. Review Your Choice

How to make your own decision

• What is the Situation

• Think about it and the choices

• Evaluate

• Make a Pros and Cons List

• Select a Solution

• Review your choice afterwards

Responsible Decision Making

• Identify the Problem

• Identify ways to deal with the problem

• Think about the possible results of each action

• Make a responsible decision

• Evaluate that decision

• Make changes if needed

Think about possible results

• Is it unhealthy?

• Is it safe to me and others?

• Is it legal?

• Does it show respect for self and others?

• Does it follow parent’s guidelines?

• Would my parents and teachers approve?

How will my decisions change my…

• Personal life

• Leisure activities

• Community atmosphere

• Learning attitude

• Family

• Work roles

Now, what decisions have you had to make this year?• Get in a fight or not?• Yell at someone or not?• Hit someone or not?• Fail my class or not?• Do my homework or not?• Get a demerit or not?• Run in the hall or not?• Be on time to class or not?• Get water or not?• Lie to a teacher or not?• Lie to a parent or not?• Roll my eyes at people or not?• Cuss or not?• Sleep in class or not?• Be respectful or not?• Make straight A’s or not?• Do my chores or not?• Do my class work or not?• Study for my test or not?• Have a good attitude or not?• Be kind to others or not?• Be careful or not?• Listening and following instructions or not?• Working harder or not?• Turning in all of my work or not?

• Spend or save money• Wear a jacket or not?• What to eat?• When to eat?• Bring my lunch or buy a lunch?• How to dress?• What to wear?• When to get up?• What time to go to bed at night?• To talk in class or not?• To bring all supplies to class or not?• To run away or not?• To follow the rules or not?• Where to sit?• What to watch on TV?• Doing what I’m told or not?• Cooking supper to surprise mom or not?• To behave in school or not?• To pay attention or not?• To participate in activities or not?• To do my project or not?• Have appropriate attitude or not?• Read 25 books or not?• Take responsibility for my pets or not?• Use my agenda every day or not?

Decisions

• Remember that not making a decision is a decision not to take action.• To be effective a manager must have the luxury of having the right to be wrong.• Trust yourself to make a decision and then to be able to field the consequences

appropriately.• Don't waste your time making decisions that do not have to be made.• Determine alternative courses of action before gathering data.• Before implementing what appears to be the best choice, assess the risk by asking

"What can I think of that might go wrong with this alternative ?"• As part of your decision making process, always consider how the decision is to be

implemented.• As soon as you are aware that a decision will have to be made on a specific

situation, review the facts at hand then set it aside. Let this incubate in your subconscious mind until it is time to finally make the decision.

• Once the decision has been made, don't look back. Be aware of how it is currently affecting you and focus on your next move. Never regret a decision. It was the right thing to do at the time. Now focus on what is right at this time.

• Mentally rehearse implementation of your choice and reflect in your imagination what outcomes will result.

• Once you have made the decision and have started what you are going to do, put the "what if's" aside and do it with commitment.

Decisions are made daily!

1. Do you use responsible decision making steps?

2. Do you think of the consequences before making your decisions?

3. How can you improve your decision making strategies?