FIVE-to-Decide™

What after-school activities should I pursue that I enjoy and will improve my chances at getting into my favorite universities? What job should I pursue this summer vacation? How can I work with my parents or guardians to make good decisions?

The FIVE-to-Decide will help you learn how to make good decisions that feel right to you and your Mom or Dad or guardian.

The series of steps or what we call dialogues that make up the FIVE-to-Decide Conversation can be counted off on one hand: (1) Focus; (2) Information; (3) Value; (4) Evaluate; and, (5) Decide.

Make sure you visit DEI Press and check out our latest publication, “Decision Empowerment: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Good Decision Makers” for a detailed discussion of each individual dialogue listed on this website and how to conduct each in practice.

Also, don’t forget to check our downloads page for the latest in useful information. In addition, consider taking our decision behavior diagnostic (link) to learn about which behaviors you may have that keep you and others from making good decisions.

Focus Dialogue

First, you need to determine what is the decision. If there is something that is bothering you there is a good chance there is a decision you need to make. Think about what you are feeling and why you are feeling the way you do. This will help you determine what is problem that is bothering you and what is the decision you need to make. Ask your parents or guardian to help you think about what decision needs to be made. Once you determine what the decision is, identify the different choices you feel should be considered.

Information Dialogue

You need to identify and understand the issues, concerns, and questions that make the decision hard to make. Answering the question, “why is the decision easy or hard to make?” will uncover the information important to making the decision.

Value Dialogue

You need to identify what types of value should be included in making the decision.

Value Types

• Enjoyment (Fun)
• Health
• Safety
• Education
• Family Quality Time
• Charity
• Pain
• Money
• Personal Fulfillment
• Time
• Other (ex. Environmental)

Evaluate Dialogue

You need to evaluate each of your choices and understand why the highest scoring choice is better than the other choices- the “value story”. You must try to answer the question, “Is there one choice that is the best choice?”

Decide Dialogue

You need to determine whether you are: (1) ready to make the decision; (2) need to reconsider the decision; or, (3) need to wait for additional information before making the decision.

Decisions You May Want to Make Using FIVE-to-Decide:

• What job should I pursue this summer vacation?
• What after-school activities should I pursue that I enjoy and will improve my chances at getting into my favorite universities?
• How can I help decide where our family goes on vacation?
• Many, many others