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1.To determine influences on decisions

2.To analyze the steps of the decision-making process

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To make a DECISION

• means to arrive at a solution that ends uncertainty or a dispute

• means to select a course of action

• means to make a choice between two or more alternatives

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Factors influencing decision making:• Values• Priorities• Environment• Peers• Role Models• Family• Self-image

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Delay until someone else makes the decision or until the option disappears; actually deciding by default to do something

1. Impulse – Go with first reaction

2. Escape – Avoid a decision or make up an answer to deflect an injury

3. Procrastination –

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4. Compliance – Let someone else decide; handing over control of your life

5. Agony – Consider every detail of every option over and over again

6. Play It Safe – Always choose the alternative with the lowest level of risk

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1. Stagnation

2. Fear of failure

3. Fear of success

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1.Define the problem

2.List all possible alternatives and consequences of each choice

3.Select the best choice – depending on your values and priorities

4.Act on your decision

5.Evaluate your decision – determine if goal or decision was met

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1.Avoid impulse decisions

2.Do not procrastinate

3.Seek help when needed

4.Consider potential results of decision

5.Accept responsibility for decisions

6.List alternative decisions before deciding

7.Make a plan to guide you to a satisfying decision

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Making a major decision usually causes anxiety. Risk is often involved and the potential to lose something in the process. However, as one goes through life, it is necessary to lose something in order to grow. A lobster must shed its shell to grow a new and larger shell. In the interim, the lobster is at greater risk from predators, but the shell must be replaced with a larger one if the lobster is to grow.

As you make career and life decisions, be prepared to lose something in order to grow.

Excerpt from, Training For Life: A Practical Guide to Career and Life Planning by Fred J. Hecklinger and Bernadette M. Black

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Many of different assessments are available for planning for the future when it comes to personal academic goals.

1. ACCUPLACER® is an adaptive test which measures skills in math, English and reading. It cannot be passed or failed, but results are used by advisors and counselors to determine a student’s course selection, thus affecting one’s academic goals.

2. ASVAB® was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense and designed to encourage students to increase self-knowledge. Results of the ASVAB® can point students in the right direction whether planning for higher education or immediate employment after high school.

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3. ACT® is universally accepted by all four year colleges and universities. A student’s score can determine whether he/she is accepted into the college or his/her choice.

4. SAT® provides students with the opportunity to learn about academic strengths, be exempt from certain college level courses, as well as gain information about scholarship opportunities. Scores can determine a student’s acceptance into his/her choice school.

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Even if you are not planning to attend a four year college or university, these assessments can impact and help identify your career goals.

1. ACCUPLACER® tests skills vital to any profession, aiding to identify areas a student excels in or needs work in. Because the test is adaptive, it quickly recognizes a student’s ability, thus producing better, more personalized results.

2. ASVAB® also evaluates students’ skills by comparing their scores to other students in the same grade. Students can see which ranges they fall within and better determine which types of education or careers are fit for them.

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1. ACT® is not an aptitude test or IQ test, but provides a unique interest inventory for future educational and career planning.

2. SAT® scores provides students with the opportunity to showcase skills learned outside of the classroom as well as inside, demonstrating areas which could affect future career goals.

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Decisions are:

• One choice made from different alternative choices

• Commitment of resources that cannot be retrieved

• Controlled by decision maker

• Measured in terms of a good or bad decision by how well the process was used

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1.What are some factors in decision making?A) EnvironmentB) PeersC) FamilyD) SelfE) All of the above

2. List the steps in the decision making process.

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3. Listed below are emotional blocks to decision making. Which one does not belong?A) SelfB) Fear of failureC) StagnationD) Fear of success

4.Procrastination is a decision making strategy to:A) Let someone else make the decisionsB) Consider every possible decisionC) Delay making a decisionD) Pick decision with the lowest level of risk

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5. When making decisions, you should try to avoid listening to your impulses.

6. “Don’t worry about it!” Valerie deflected when her mom asked about her homework. This is an example of what decision making strategy?

A) True B) False

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The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences. Texas Tech University. http://www.hs.ttu.edu/ccfs

Ulrich-Hagner, Linda, Margaret Andrews and Mary Stang-Cooke. Decisions in Action. 1988. Cincinnati: South-Western Publishing Co.

Hecklinger, Fred J. and Bernadette M. Black. Training for Life: A Practical Guide to Career and Life Planning. 1994. Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.

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