Slow Down and Think
It takes control to slow down and think about your choices and their consequences, but by doing this you can make a safer and smarter decision.
Acting emotionally and on impulse can often lead to decisions that aren’t well thought out and might take you down the wrong path.
What can you do to make the right choice?
- Say or write down the problem. Verbalizing or seeing your problem written out can help you think about the problem and solution more clearly.
- Write down solutions. Write down as many possible solutions to the problem as you can come up with. Don’t try to make a choice – just brainstorm options. Think hard about unique alternatives.
- Write the positives. For each solution that you came up with, write down all of the good/positive things that can come out of choosing that option.
- List the negatives. This time, write down all the possible negative consequences that might come from different solutions.
- Make a choice. Look through your different solutions and their potential positive and negative consequences. Think through what would be your best solution to your problem. How will your choice affect your long-term goals for sports, grades, college, family, and career? It might stand out right away. Other problems might be tougher and take some time to solve. If you feel comfortable, talk with your parents, counselor, teacher or an adult that you trust. They might have some advice.
- Make a plan. What’s needed to take action and solve your problem? Do whatever you need to carry out your solution (i.e. get help or resources.)
- Evaluate. After you’ve solved your problem, look back and see how it all went. Would you change things next time? What went well, what was messed up? Remember for next time.
Remember that the best time to choose your action is when you still have options!
Don’t let a problem get to the point where you don’t have any options left.
Making good decisions takes practice.
If you use this thinking process in small decisions, you’ll find your confidence and judgment will be better with each choice you make.