decision

Decision MakingDecision Making

Who Decides?Who Decides?In a democracy such as ours, In a democracy such as ours, change requires participation.change requires participation.

The government of the US is not in The government of the US is not in Washington, not in the White House, Washington, not in the White House, not in the Capital…it resides in us, not in the Capital…it resides in us, we, the (few) people. What resides in we, the (few) people. What resides in Washington is the administration of Washington is the administration of our government.our government.

Individually…Individually…

If there is one thingIf there is one thingwe can change,we can change,it is the way we think.it is the way we think.

Self IdentitySelf Identity

We are what we think, We are what we think, and we are influenced and we are influenced by what we are taught by what we are taught and experience.and experience.

Etymology: from Latin decidere, literally,“to cut off from”.

1. a : to arrive at a solution that ends uncertainty or dispute about <decide what to do>.b : to select as a course of action–used withan infinitive <decided to go>.

2. to bring to a definitive end <one blow decided the fight>.

3. to induce to come to a choice <her pleas decided him to help>.

DecisionDecision

Merriam-Webster, Inc. 2005. Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved on 1 May 05 from http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=decide.

Why? Why? To settle a question.To settle a question.

Empowerment comes through decisions.Empowerment comes through decisions.

Decision MakingDecision Making

How?How?Connect with my reality.Connect with my reality.Overcome being uncertain, ambivalent,Overcome being uncertain, ambivalent,

and equivocal.and equivocal.Go beyond our beliefs and search for truth.Go beyond our beliefs and search for truth.

Power of ThoughtPower of Thought

Through the power Through the power of thought we can of thought we can change our lives.change our lives.

Phase Change ModelPhase Change Model

• Inappropriate for impulse-driven Inappropriate for impulse-driven decisions.decisions.

• Appropriate for thoughtful, Appropriate for thoughtful, reasoned decisions.reasoned decisions.

• ““Thinking is effortful”Thinking is effortful” – – Gina MireaultGina Mireault

Decision MakingDecision Making

The Phase Change ModelThe Phase Change Model(adapted from Beyond War)(adapted from Beyond War)

Learn → Decide → ActLearn → Decide → Act

LEARNLEARN ACT

DECIDEDECIDE

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DECISIONDECISION

IgnoranceInterestOpinion

KnowledgeKnowledgeConvictionConviction

ActionAction

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What it is:What it is:

What it isn’t:What it isn’t:

• • Search for the truthSearch for the truth• Open to the issues• Open to the issues• New experiences• New experiences• Pre-occupation with• Pre-occupation with knowing knowing

• • Confusing me with factsConfusing me with facts• Personal taste• Personal taste• Beliefs• Beliefs

What it is:What it is:

What it isn’t:What it isn’t:

• • Education and reaffirmationEducation and reaffirmation• Open to the person• Open to the person• Freedom of knowing• Freedom of knowing• Pre-occupation with• Pre-occupation with communication communication

•• Open to the issueOpen to the issue• Convincing people• Convincing people• Defensive• Defensive

Making Decisions:Making Decisions:A Basis For HopeA Basis For Hope

Instead of looking at what's wrong, look at the opportunities.

Think creatively; discover solutions that are mutually beneficial.

There is a potential for this to be the best of times─or the end of times.

It depends on which direction we take at this unavoidable fork in our evolutionary journey.

To break out of hopelessness, powerlessness and indifference, each of us has to see that there are solutions.

Part of the solution involves a change in the way we think─we are what we think.

Participation in a solution allows one to experience change and therefore gain a sense of the possibilities.

Where there is perseverance, there is hope.

One feels empowered by taking action and satisfied by completing tasks.

Concern and good intentions are not enough.

To take control of our actions and change our mode of thinking:– we have to have knowledge, – we have to make a decision, – we have to take action.

Our mode of thinking determines our values, our attitudes, our motivations, and our actions.

Our mode of thinking represents how we identify ourselves.

The change in identification takes place with individuals making a decision.

What it is:What it is:

What it isn’t:What it isn’t:

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What it is:What it is:

What it isn’t:What it isn’t: