Decision Making

5 steps to take before you make any big decisions in your relationships:

1. Set your own standards:

Think about what you are willing or not willing to do before you get into tricky situations. If you think your decision might be compromised by drinking alcohol see Alcohol & Drugs.

2. Think about what’s important to you:

Deciding what’s important to you can be influenced by your parents, family, teachers, youth workers, friends, or religion. You might also be influenced by your own experiences or the experiences of people close to you. See What’s Important to You for some examples.

3. Look at who is influencing you:

Think of who might be influencing your decision. How are they influencing your decision? Why are they influencing your decision? Do they have your best interests at heart? Should you allow this person to have this influence on you or not? If you are under pressure from others, visit the Pressure section to learn more.

4. Check where you’re at:

Remember, if you are feeling good about yourself, you are more likely to make good decisions for yourself. If you are feeling under confident you are more likely to give into pressure. Visit Feeling Good to get tips on making yourself feel good.

5. Ask yourself:

• Do I have to decide now?
• Is this what I want for myself right now?
• What are the consequences for me?
• Have I talked about this with anyone else?

When you are making decisions, it’s better to give yourself time. Once you do something you can’t undo it  –  so get all the facts before you make any big decisions.