While facilitating a parenting workshop for a parent organization last year I began the evening with each table of parents listing the five most important things you would like to teach your children. Each table had very good answers. Then I asked the parents as a large group to narrow all the lists down to the single most important answer. Their number one answer: Teach your children how to make good decisions.
Here’s an article to share and discuss with your teen:
Hey Kids! Have you ever been in a situation where you’re playing a video game and the thought hits you…I have homework and a test to study for? You know what you should do - but you make a decision to keep playing because you want to beat the game. So you tell yourself, “Only 10-minutes more.” 10-minutes turns into two-hours and before you know it, you’re back in school unprepared for the test and without your homework for your next class. You squeak by with a D on the test and tell yourself, “I’m glad it wasn’t an F, at least I passed.” As for the homework, “Well, I’ll just have to make sure I don’t miss anymore assignments.” We all know how that goes!
Decisions, decisions! How many decisions will you make today? Try counting them and you will soon discover you are constantly making decisions; hundreds if not thousands each day; should I get up, what do I wear today, what will I eat, shower or wash my face and that’s only the beginning.
How does someone become a good decision-maker? It’s simple! Start making decisions. Decision-Making is a skill; it’s like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. The best part is it increases your self-esteem and self-confidence. You develop pride in yourself and gain more respect & trust from your peers and adults. You begin to make bigger decisions that take you faster and further in life. The best part is - anyone can do it!
Decision-making Tips
1.) Make a decision to develop a daily routine.
This decision helps you get each day off to a good start. If you prepare the night before you will end your day as a winner and be ready for a good start in the morning.
2.) Put yourself in situations where you have to make decisions.
Make a decision to become involved with clubs or organizations in your school, church or community. You will learn both decision-making and leadership skills. Note: When you first join a club or organization it is normal to feel uncomfortable. Step out of your comfort zone. Years from now you will look back and say, “That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!” For more on youth leadership and decision-making visit www.youth4youth.org
3.) Ask a trusted adult or role model for advice.
Adults will help you consider things you never thought about because of their life experiences. Take their insight and use it to help make the best decision. Who are the adults in your life that can help you look at your options in different situations?
4.) Decide who you will be as a person.
Who you are is your character and it is based on your morals and beliefs. As we mature, we learn to gather facts and knowledge and include that information in our decision-making. There are times when we will find the best decision may not always be the most popular one or one I like, but it may very well be the best decision. When in question about a decision, “Listen with your heart.”
People who have become great decision-makers have made a lot more poor decisions than the average person. I once asked a close friend, Willie, how he got so good at making decisions? He said, “I practiced and practiced. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions, but I never made a decision I haven’t learned from and more importantly - I never gave up.”
Larry Tracey is a parent and teen coach, who teaches success and leadership life skills. He is author of a book for teens, pre-teens and those who once were teens, titled The Secret of the CAN. Larry is founder of Youth4Youth and believes each student has the potential to be successful. Contact Larry Tracey at success@youth4youth.org
Tags: character, decision making, parent, self confidence, Self Esteem, Teen, youth4youth