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Think of the last time you had a major decision to make such as where to move, whether to stay in a relationship, or what to study.
It's hard to make a choice knowing that what you do in the world has consequences!
Assess the potential impact of your actions to help you make better decisions.
What Could Happen Short Term?
Write down what you think will happen directly after taking a potential course of action.
Quiz
Gene wants to get some regular exercise and they're thinking of taking up running. What are some possible short term outcomes?
A short-term outcome happens immediately or soon after an action. Gene might not be ready for a marathon after one run but they'll likely feel different.
What Will Happen Long Term?
Write down what you think will happen one month, one year, and even decades after the action.
In Gene's case, running regularly could mean:
Long lasting health benefits
Mental health benefits
Meeting a life-long friend along the way
Being a positive example for others
Did you know?
This Byte was created by a volunteer professional that wanted to share this insight to help you succeed - no agenda, no cost.
Who Will Be Affected?
Your actions can influence anyone in your life — family, friends, significant others, coworkers, or total strangers.
Write down who you think your action will affect. Will the effects be positive or negative?
Ask someone you trust how they think your action could play out. A second opinion can help you see if you missed something because of inherent bias or a lack of knowledge.
Connect The Dots
Create a mind map to help you see how each outcome is connected to everyone it will affect.
You might even discover new outcomes of your action.
Assess The Pros And Cons
It's time to evaluate!
Create a list of the pros and cons of taking the action.
This will help you take all that you’ve considered into account and make the right decision.
Take Action
Feel confident in your decision now that you've assessed the outcomes!
Remember to ask yourself:
This Byte has been authored by
Paul Borkowski
Helping to make learning easy, accessible, and fun