Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!
How to Make Wise Choices 

Imagine that your best friend David has been earning money all summer and is about to make a big choice:

Do I purchase that guitar I've always wanted, or keep saving toward a car?

D esires
E quipped
C ircumstances
 I  nput
S mall Steps First
  I  n Line With My Mission
O ptions
N ever Compromise
S ort Pros and Cons...Then decide!

#1 -  Desires: What do I want to do?

Caution: Just because you have a passion doesn't mean you should exclusively pursue that passion.  

#2 -  Equipped: Am I able or qualified to do it?

''Maintaining focus is a key to success. You should understand your circle of competence, the thing that you're good at, and spend your time and energy there.'' (Bill Gates, Column, New York Times Syndicate, March 12, 1997)

On the other hand, since you're still  young, can you fully know your abilities? 

Also, don't limit your education to your narrow set of interests! 

#3 -  Circumstances: Are my circumstances, including timing, favorable?

#4 -  Input: What do friends, family, and experts recommend?

You've got to ask! Asking is, in my opinion, the world's most powerful -- and neglected -- secret to success and happiness. (Percy Ross)

A person who asks a question might be a fool for five minutes, but a person who doesn't ask, is a fool forever...

Who to ask:

• Friends

• Parents and family

• Experts

• Your faith family

The Question Game: Which Car Will You Buy? 

#5 - Small Steps First: Can I test the water before taking the plunge?

#6 -  In Line With My Mission: Will it help me achieve my mission/vision/purpose in life? 

• MicroSoft: "To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential."
• Chick-Fil-A (Successful Restaurant Chain): "To Be America's Best Quick-Service Restaurant at Winning and Keeping Customers."
• Mayo Clinic: "Mayo will provide the best care to every patient every day through integrated clinical practice, education and research."

#7 -  Options: Have I considered all the options?

#8 -  Never Compromise: Is it consistent with my core values? 

It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.  (Roy Disney)

#9 -  Sort Pros and Cons: Then decide!

Some people avoid important decisions for fear that they'll make the wrong decision. Don't let the fear of failure keep you from moving forward!

The greatest failure is the failure to try. (William A. Ward)

The person who succeeds is not the one who holds back, fearing failure, nor the one who never fails… but rather the one who moves on in spite of failure. Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat. (Teddy Roosevelt, former President of the United States)

Pitfalls in Decision-Making

1 - "Second-Guessing" Susan

2 - "Go With the Gut" Gus

3 - "I've Got to be Sure" Shirley  

4 - "I Shall Not be Moved" Mark  

5 - "Easy Road" Igor

7- "I've Got to Decide Now" David 

8 - "I'm Deciding for Life" Leonard. 

(Copyright April, 2004, by Legacy Educational Resources. All rights reserved.)