Better Decisions

DEF’s approach to decision making enables us to judge the quality of a decision as it is being made. We can apply the ideas and methods presented here as a checklist for simple decisions or as a systematic process for difficult decisions.

What Makes a Good Decision?

"Whether my decision is good or bad depends on how I make it, not on the outcome."

Head and Heart
A good decision requires both head and heart. Decision makers need to ask themselves:

Does my decision feel right?

Decision Quality
To be sure we reach a decision which makes sense and feels right, we need to understand that a good decision has six elements, which are like the links in a chain.

 The Decision Quality Chain:
only as strong as its weakest link

Decision Fitness: It’s Not Simple!

In order to be "decision fit," we must strive to make sure that youth develop and practice good decision habits. We recommend making “policies” when adequate time is available and they are in a clear state of mind.

It is vital that we recognize our limits while continuing to strive for the best decisions possible in ever-changing settings. Practice does not make perfect, but it does improve our chances.

For more information about good decision making, download our booklet