Page 17 - Healthy LEAP into Fitness- Coach's Manual

GOAL SETTING & DECISION MAKING

DECISION MAKING
We all have different styles of decision-making. Usually we begin by assessing whether something
is an important or an unimportant decision. If it’s an important decision, we think carefully about what we
want and what options we have. Then we weigh possible positive and negative consequences. Thought-
ful decision-making gives us more control over our lives and contributes to our health, safety, and sense
of well-being.

It’s okay to ask for help when thinking through a larger choice that might affect others or could be life
changing for ourselves. Talking things through is another helpful step in making important decisions.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: CONFLICTING FEELINGS

TIME MATERIALS
30-40 mins WHITE BOARD
MARKERS

ACTIVITY
- Ask a volunteer to come to the front of the room. Ask the group to imagine it’s a hot day in July
and the individual is standing on a steep cliff, looking into a cool river below. A friend has encour-
aged him or her to jump into the water below. The individual has two conflicting feelings that are
speaking very loudly inside his or her body. What are they?
- On the whiteboard or poster paper write each of the two feelings the group identifies side by
side. Ask the group what each word is saying to the individual. Then write those responses under
each word. For example, if the feeling words are “afraid” and “brave,” under “afraid” you might
write things like, “You’ll die!” or “You’ll break a leg!” Under “brave,” you might write, “Don’t be a
wimp!” or “You can do it!” Encourage the group to come up with seven or eight responses for each
feeling.
- Now ask for two more volunteers to play the parts of the different voices. Standing on either
side of the person about to jump, have each individual read his or her respective feelings from the
board. After watching this for a few minutes, ask the group which voice they think the individual
should obey.
- Allow the volunteers to sit down, and ask the group if it’s possible for the individual to listen to
both feelings. Help them come to a solution that honors both feelings. For instance, some solu-
tions to the face-off between feeling both afraid and brave could include jumping from a lower
rock after checking the depth of the water; watching others jump and then deciding if it’s safe;
and asking others for information in order to make a better decision.

COACH’S NOTES
Try this activity presenting a situation that generates other feelings such as anger and calm,
responsibility and playfulness - any pair of feelings that people may struggle with when making
a decision. An important part of this activity is to help participants learn that the feelings are not
bad. They are warning signals from the body. It may be helpful to ask the group what life would
be like if we listened only to one emotion, such as fear, bravery, or any other single feeling. In this
way, participants can learn how to listen to, evaluate, and balance competing thoughts and emo-
tions.
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