Tips on Effective Decision Making and Goal Setting

It is normal to sometimes feel stuck or overwhelmed when faced with a decision, especially in times of

transition. Barriers to making a decision can include:

• Inadequate self-exploration and assessment

• Inadequate exploration of career options

• Excessive researching and compiling of information, without a framework to sort

through the information

• Being afraid to make “the wrong choice” thus making no choices at all

The order and style of making a decision can vary greatly depending on the person and situation;

however, it can be helpful to organize the process according to the following steps:

1. Identify the decision to be made: Is there actually more than one decision on the table?

2. Know Yourself: Identifying and prioritizing your values is especially important.

3. Develop options and alternatives: Get help brainstorming and expanding possibilities.

4. Gather relevant information and data: What information are you missing? Do research

through the internet, by talking to people, and getting hands-on experience.

5. Evaluate options: List pros and cons, identify risks and possible consequences (both positive

and negative), and assess how the options match your values.

6. Select an option and design a course of action to implement the decision: Effective goal

setting is essential to move from intention to action.

SMART Goals: Creating an action plan that breaks long-term goals into SMART short-term goals and

tasks will greatly increase your likelihood of being successful. SMART stands for:

S Specific: Goals should be focused and unambiguous. They should answer all the “W” questions:

Who, What, Where, When and Why?

M Measureable: Quantify your tasks. How will you know when you are successful?

A Attainable: Clearly separate what tasks you control, and those which rely on chance or help

from others. Taking small but consistent steps will help you reach lofty goals.

R Relevant: Do your research. Are you focusing on the most effective methods?

T Time-bound: Identify or set a deadline or time-frame for a particular task.