Decision-Making: Part 2

If you do happen to find yourself making poor decisions, do not lose hope. You are not the first person who has found him- or herself in this type of situation, and luckily, there is still hope. You can recover from a bad decision and improve your situation. You still have power over yourself, your thoughts, and your actions.

 

To fix a poor decision, follow the five steps below:

 

1. Take full responsibility.

Taking ownership of your mistakes is the first step in remedying the situation. It’s okay to admit that you messed up. Everyone has made mistakes in their lives, but admitting to a mistake is important in order to learn and grow from it.

 

 

2. Understand your decision.

Think about the path you were on that led you to the poor decision. What factors were involved? It’s not about placing blame on yourself or others, but it is important to identify the barriers or pitfalls that led you to this decision in order to avoid them in the future.

 

 

3. Apologize and explain, if necessary.

Did your decision negatively affect someone else’s life? Did you hurt someone’s feelings? Be honest and open in this step; heal the wounds you may have created and repair the healthy relationships around you.

 

 

4. Focus on the present.

It can be tempting, but don’t dwell on the past. You can’t go back in time, but you can learn from your mistakes and move forward. First, though, you need to make the decision to focus on the now. Forgive yourself and focus on the steps you can take to regain control. Be proud of yourself for being so strong and growing from your mistakes.

 

 

5. Be proactive.

Think about the options you have now, and go through the steps of making a GREAT decision. Decide if you’re able to make this responsible decision for change alone or if you will need help. If you need help, reach out to a trusted adult to assist.