Life Skills Discussion Guide

Introduction

Welcome to our discussion on decision-making! Today, we will explore how we make choices and consider different outcomes based on our options. This guide is designed to help you think deeply about decisions, both big and small, and the factors that influence them.

Discussion Prompts

Prompt 1: What is Decision-Making?

• What does it mean to make a decision?
• Can you think of a time when you had to make an important decision? What steps did you take?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Prompt 2: Evaluating Options

• How do you compare different options when making a decision?
• What are some benefits of considering the pros and cons of a situation?
• How might you balance short-term gains with long-term effects?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Prompt 3: Real-Life Scenarios

• Imagine you have to choose between spending time with friends or studying for an important exam. What factors would you consider in making your decision?
• How might the outcome of this decision affect your future?
• Would your decision change if one option had an immediate reward versus a long-term benefit?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Prompt 4: Considering Other Perspectives

• Why is it important to consider other people's opinions when making a decision?
• In what ways can discussing your choices with someone else help you see a situation from a new perspective?
• Can thinking from another person's point of view influence your final decision?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Follow-Up Questions

• Can you identify a decision you made recently that had unexpected outcomes? How did you learn from that experience?
• How would you advise a friend who is struggling with a difficult decision?
• What strategies could you use to improve your decision-making skills in the future?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Group Activity

Break into small groups and discuss the following scenario:

"You have two options for how to spend your weekend. One option is to help out at a community event, which might improve your leadership skills and allow you to give back to the community. The other option is to relax at home and prepare for the upcoming school week. What are the pros and cons of each option, and which would you choose? Why?"

After your discussion, come together as a large group and share the different perspectives.

Conclusion

Reflect on the discussion by thinking about one key takeaway from today's session. How might these insights help you make better decisions in the future?

Decision-Making Worksheet

Scenario

Imagine you have two options to spend your Saturday:

Option A: Spend the day at a local community event that offers volunteering and skill-building activities.

Option B: Spend the day at home preparing for an upcoming school project that requires extra time and effort.

Which option would you choose? Use the space below to work through your thoughts and evaluation process.

Step 1: List the Pros and Cons

Option A: Community Event

• Pros:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Cons:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Option B: Preparing at Home

• Pros:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Cons:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Step 2: Evaluate the Outcomes

Consider the short-term and long-term outcomes of each option. Write your thoughts on how each choice might affect you immediately and in the future.

Step 3: Make Your Decision

Based on your evaluation, which option do you choose? Provide a detailed explanation of your decision-making process and the reasons behind your choice.

Step 4: Reflection

Reflect on this exercise: What did you learn about your decision-making process? How might you apply these insights to other decisions in your life?