Make Decisions

Factors Influencing Decisions
Decision-Making Styles
Take Action: Decision-Making Models

So far you have made decisions related to various facets of life. You have decided which university to attend, what classes to take, and where to live. Similarly, selecting a major or career involves obtaining appropriate information and being aware of the numerous factors that may influence your decision. The information below is designed to help you examine how you currently make decisions and offers several approaches to making future decisions.

Factors Influencing Decisions

Information Factors

To make sound decisions it is important to gather enough information to evaluate your options. You can Research Your Options with objective sources, and also Make Connections and Get Experience to collect more direct information.

Decision-Making Experience

Confidence in decision-making abilities comes from having made successful decisions in the past. Think about the positive decisions you have made already. How did you make those decisions? What resources helped guide you through your decision-making process?

Personal Factors

Support and influence from family and friends can have a big effect on your decisions, especially for significant decisions that may impact the important people in your life.
Consider how your options are compatible with your values, interests and abilities. An example could be: "My previous experience as a student teacher has confirmed my interests in becoming a teacher. Plus, having the summers off will allow me to spend more time with my family." You may need to Evaluate Yourself to clarify your interests, values, skills and personality style.
The number of desirable options is often a factor. People with many interests and abilities find decision-making difficult because they believe they will have to sacrifice appealing options. Those with undefined interests find decision-making difficult as well because none of the options appear attractive.

Decision-Making Styles

Reality Check

There isn't necessarily one model or style that is always the right way to make decisions. And remember, different people are successful and satisfied using different styles. So what works well for your friend may not be the style that works best for you.

The method you use to make decisions will depend on your personal decision-making style and the weight of the decision. Each decision-making style has advantages and disadvantages; what is most important is that you use a style that is comfortable and effective for you. You can always use a different style depending on your situation.

It is often best to use a planned decision-making style when making important or complicated decisions. In other words, gather information and apply a systematic and deliberate approach that is a balance between logical reasoning and intuition. A planned approach takes time and energy but is worthwhile when you have to make important decisions. You will also be more confident with your decision if you know you have done your homework and it feels right intuitively.

Other decision-making styles can be used when you face time constraints, or when the decisions are not of great consequence. Sometimes it is easier or more comfortable to make a decision based on your emotions, to let other people influence you, or to leave the decision up to fate.

Take Action: Decision-Making Models

Reality Check

Remember that you are not alone in the decision-making process. If you want help working through one or more of these decision-making models, or if the outcome of using one of the models is confounding or surprising, make an appointment with a Career Center counselor.

Pros & Cons Model
1. On a piece of paper, write down the decision you are considering making. Write it as if you had already made the decision (for example, "Accept the XYZ Company job offer in Los Angeles.")
2. Divide the piece of paper into two columns, with "Pros" at the top of one column. Write down the outcomes of the decision that you believe are positive.
3. In the "Cons" column, write down the outcomes of the decision that are negative or less desirable.
4. In the course of writing down your pros and cons, you will probably notice that there are some outcomes that are uncertain or are too hard to predict. Write these outcomes down on a separate piece of paper.
5. Conduct Research about the outcomes that you are unsure about, then add those to the Pro or Con column.
6. For the outcomes that are simply too hard to predict, you might want to talk with other people to get their input or opinions. If possible, evaluate if the outcome is a pro or con and add that to your table.
7. As you begin to complete the table, it may become clearer if the decision you are considering is advisable.
Note: Some outcomes carry more weight than others, so the number of pros and cons in each column is not necessarily indicative of whether or not you should move forward with the decision.
Analytical Decision-Making Worksheet
Use the Career Center's Decision-Making Worksheet (PDF) to help you evaluate which of your options may be the best for you based on your values. The worksheet takes you through an analytical approach to comparing up to three options. This is a PDF file that you can print out and use for any type of decision.
Imaginative, Visualization Exercise
If you are more of an intuitive decision-maker, you may prefer this imaginative exercise. Open or print a copy of the Visualization Exercise. You may want to have a friend or a Career Center counselor lead you through the visualization, or you may just want to read through the exercise and imagine on your own.

Back to Planning Your Future Home