An Introduction to Decision Making and Goals
Decision-making and goal-setting are essential for students to
- Manage their lives effectively and achieve personal, academic, and professional aspirations.
- Stay motivated and focused, which enhances both academic performance and personal growth.
- Choose the best course of action through analyzing factors and weighing pros and cons
Use this information and resources to build a strong foundation for future success, whether in selecting a major, planning a career, or balancing social activities with study time.
Additional Information: Decision Making | Goals
Types of Decisions
Decision-Making Strategies
- Rash: Using little thought or examination
- Fatalistic: Letting fate decide
- Conformable: Letting others influence decisions or doing what others might be doing
- Delaying: Procrastinating deciding to delay the process
- Avoidance: Choosing the alternative most likely to avoid the worst result
- Logical: Choosing the alternative that has the most desirable outcome
- Overthinking: Getting overwhelmed with analyzing alternatives
- Instinctive: Subconscious choice based on what your gut is telling you
Adapted from Bender, D. (2007). Get A life!: A friendly workbook for planning your career.
Steps to Decision Making
Challenges in Making Decisions
It's important to know when to make a quick decision and when to take your time. Being too hesitant can be just as problematic as rushing into a decision without thinking it through.
Know when you truly have control over a situation and when you don't. People often mistakenly believe they have control when they don't, or they fail to realize their potential to influence the outcome.
Sometimes, people aren't sure what their priorities are. It's important to clearly identify and rank what matters most to you to make better decisions.