Chapter 2

Making Decisions and Setting Goals

Do Now

Write a list of all the decisions you made today from time you woke up until now. Then chose one of your decisions and focus on the process.

Chapter 2

Objectives:

1. Identify the steps in the decision-making process.

2. Explain why it is important to practice decision making.

3. Develop and implement an action plan for setting a goal.

Making Decisions and Setting Goals

Health Concepts▪ Decision making is a multi-step process

that can be used to make responsible health choices.

▪ Practicing your decision-making skills can prepare you to handle real-life situations.

▪ Setting and achieving goals is important to the quality of your life.

▪ A key to effective goal setting is learning to develop and implement an action plan.

Making Responsible Decisions

Imagine finding gift-wrapped boxes at your doorstep along with a note that states, “Whichever box you choose will determine how your life proceeds.” Which box would you open? Would you just grab the one nearest to you and hastily tear off the ribbon? Would you instead take your time and carefully inspect each box, looking for subtle clues as to its contents?

Making Responsible Decisions

Making decisions about major life issues must be done carefully and deliberately. Just as you would slow down and look for approaching cars when arriving at a busy intersection, so you will need to approach life decisions with caution. You will need to “look in all directions” for possible risks, and then act decisively and without hesitation once the risks have been identified and weighed.

Making Responsible Decisions

▪ The most crucial step in all decision-making is to distinguish between ethical and unethical options.

▪ Decisions and actions should only be based on the choices that are among the ethical options.

3 Types of Decision Making Styles

▪ Inactive Decision Maker▪Someone who fails to make choices▪Procrastinates in making a decision until one

option plays itself out▪This type of decision maker typically has

difficulty developing self confidence and feel that they have no control over their destiny

3 Types of Decision Making Stylescont…

▪ Reactive Decision Maker▪Someone who allows peers, siblings,

parents etc… to make decisions for them▪RDM’s are easily influenced by what other

people think, do or suggest▪Easily persuaded by peer pressure, develop

a negative self-esteem, and need to be liked by others

3 Types of Decision Making Stylescont…

▪ Proactive Decision Maker▪Someone who follows the 8 steps of

decision making process and assumes responsibility for the consequences of their actions

▪PDM’s take on responsibility rather than being influenced by external conditions

▪Experience feelings of inspiration because they are in control of their own destiny

The Decision Making Model

One of the traits of a health-literate person is being a critical thinker and problem solver- having the ability to evaluate information from reliable sources and then make a responsible decision.

The decision-making model can help you act in a way consistent with this trait. The model is designed to help you make decisions that will protect your rights, health, and self-respect, while respecting the rights, health, and self-respect of others.

There are eight basic steps in making an important decision.

Making Decisions and Setting Goals

Activity 1 – Turn to a Neighbor

What are the different steps involved in decision making?

The Decision Making Model

Step 1: State the Problem

Step 2: Gather Information About the Problem

Step 3: List pros and cons of the problem

Step 4: Develop alternatives

Step 5: Analyze alternatives

Step 6: Make a decision based on what is best for you and the situation

Step 7: Implement your decision

Step 8: Evaluate end results of decision made

Decision Making Model

Activity 2 - Group WorkUse the Eight Step method for this activity.

Participants will divide into small groups and each group will be given a certain problem. (e.g., a friend wants to run away from home). Together, the participants in the group will go through each of the eight steps and discuss how they would help to solve the problem.

This will be worth 10 points of your grade. 

Activity 2 cont.In the examples listed below, write your response for each statement using the 8 step method. All steps must be clearly listed in your response. - Group 1: Friend gets pregnant and does not know

what to do.- Group 2: Friend wants to drop out of school.- Group 3: Friend wants to start drinking and using

drugs because his/her friends are doing it.- Group 4: Friend decides to cheat on an exam- Group 5: Friend feels pressured into having sex with a

boyfriend/girlfriend

Setting Goals

Having and setting goals is one way to help shape your life in positive directions.

A goal is something you aim for that takes planning and work.

Setting realistic goals and achieving them leads to increased self esteem

Setting GoalsDo you view your life as a series of events that

simply happen to you or do you see it as a work of art that you are constantly shaping and creating?

Think about your plans for the future. What do you want to do with your life? What do you hope to become someday? Do your plans include further education and a family? What type of job do you hope to have? What do you hope to have accomplished by the age of 20? What kind of life do you want to be able to look back on when you are 70?

What Will the Future Bring?

▪ Complete the hand out▪ In your groups, go over the decisions you

made for each question and why you feel they are important

▪ Be prepared to present to the rest of the class

Kinds of Goals

Every goal involves planning, and planning involves time.

Some goals can be achieved fairly easily and in a short period of time. Such short-term goals include getting your homework done by nine o’clock.

Other goals, such as becoming a teacher or a professional athlete, pose a greater challenge. Such long-term goals take a longer period— sometimes months or even years—to achieve.

Kinds of Goals

Many long-term goals can be achieved by breaking them down into short-term goals. In order to meet the long-term goal of playing on the school ice hockey team, for example, you must first satisfy the beginning goal of becoming a strong skater.

What kinds of short- term goals do you think might be necessary to pursue a career in politics? What short-term goals might help a person work toward the long-term goal of becoming a professional athlete?

SMART

▪ When Setting Goals be sure to follow the SMART guidelines▪S: Specific▪M: Measurable▪A: Action-oriented▪R: Realistic▪T: Timely

Goals and an Action Plan

While goals can differ in the amount of time and degree of effort necessary to reach them all can be achieved by creating an action plan.

Like the decision-making process, an action plan is a multi-step strategy for identifying and achieving goals.

An Action Plan consists of six action-based steps that can help you accomplish your goals.

Action Plan

1. Select a goal to work on ▪ In selecting a goal, you need to be

specific and realistic. Also, state your goal as something positive. Do not settle for just “not failing.” Focus your energies instead on succeeding. This will help motivate you to work toward achieving your goal.

Action Plan

2. List what you will do to reach the goal

▪ Look for ways to break your goal down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

▪ If your goal is to become a long- distance runner, begin by training yourself to run shorter distances.

Action Plan

3. Identify sources of help and support

▪ Identify sources of help and support. Sources of support and encouragement are important to achieving any goal.

▪ Such sources might include friends, family members, teachers, or neighbors.

Action Plan

4. Set a reasonable time frame for reaching your goal

▪ When first setting out toward any goal, you should establish a reasonable time limit for reaching that goal and put it in writing.

Action Plan

5. Establish checkpoints to evaluate your progress

▪ As with establishing a time frame, such checkpoints should be reasonable and realistic

Action Plan

6. Reward yourself after reaching your goal

▪ Once you arrive, congratulate yourself and enjoy the personal satisfaction.

▪ One way is to buy yourself something you have wanted.

▪ Knowing that a reward waits at the end of the journey will help you work that much harder.

Other Guidelines for Setting Goals

▪ Make certain your goal will not harm your health or anyone else’s.

▪ Be sure that your goal shows respect both for you and for everyone else affected by it.

▪ Set a goal because it will help you grow, not because you want to outdo someone or win someone else’s attention.

▪ If you fail to reach your goal, use what you learn from the failure to set a new goal.

Goals For Life

What are your personal goals right now—today?▪ If your answer is that you do not have any, ask

yourself why. If you do not have positive goals, you need to ask yourself: Why?

▪ How can I remove the roadblocks that stand in the way of my having positive goals?

▪ Remember, goal setting, like decision making and the other health skills you learned about in this chapter, can move you toward the ultimate goal of total health and wellness.

Chapter 2 Lesson 2Review

1. What are the steps in the decision-making process?

2. Why are questions about consequences so important when using the decision- making process?

3. Julius, who is 16, has ambitions to become a physician some day. Create an action plan Julius might follow in reaching this life goal.