Decision Making/Goal Setting

Introduction  

As college students many of you will be making important decisions and setting goals for the first time.  Some students find this exciting while others find it scary.  Whether you are excited or scared or somewhere in between, there are a few easy steps to learn in order to become good decision makers and goal setters.  Could it be as simple as being able to answer these questions?

• What do you want to do?
• Where do you want to do it?
• When do you want to be ready to do it?

For many college students, these questions are NOT easy to answer.  Look at some of the ideas in the goal and decision making lesson below.

Information

Follow each of these lessons to find out more about each topic:

Lesson #1 Decision Making/Goal Setting Decision making is about making choices and being open to the changes that occur in our lives, especially changes that challenge our personal values and beliefs.  We need to explore other perspectives and respect others decisions even when they are decisions with which you disagree. An important part of decision making is being an active listener.  When we are involved in discussions with others, we are using our thinking and listening skills.  It’s also important to be empathetic, understanding and sensitive to others thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.   Use these skills as you are reacting to the decisions made by others.

Lesson #2 Range of Decision Making How often do you struggle to make a decision for yourself and those around you?  Sometimes the choices you make don’t produce the results that you hoped they would.  There are so many decisions to make and sometimes it is just hard to figure out where to begin. The following are common examples of the kinds of choices that people make at home work, school and in relationships.  

Lesson #3 Short & Long Term Goals  A long term goal takes a while to accomplish such as earning an Bachelors' degree.  Short term goals are several step you might take along the way to reach your long term goal such as completing certain courses, earning an AA degree, deciding your major and transfer school, and many others.  Effective decision making is one of the keys to reaching your goals.  Another key is to set "good" goals.  Here are some characteristics of good goals.

Lesson #4 Approaches to Decision Making Do you find yourself confused and frustrated about what decision to make and don’t know what to do?  Decision making requires you to think critically.  When you are evaluating your emotions, thoughts, and actions, you are clarifying and improving the choices you make. The following are simple approaches defining the problem, explore possible solutions, take action and evaluate your choices will help you to make decisions.  

Related Web Sites

Mind Tools - Goal Setting 
Powerful Written Goals in 7 Easy Steps

Discussion

Join us on the Discussion Board
What decisions will you be making in the coming weeks? What concerns do you have about making those decisions?  What will you do to overcome your concerns?

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