A new social environment includes many people to talk to and temptations challenging you to into making many decisions. Making the best decision for yourself may be filled with uncertainty as the people around you start to influence you. One bad decision can turn into a series of behaviours whereby a habit is formed. It is challenging and timely to break a bad habit however, by taking precautions before entering each new environment you will be able to uphold your values and learn to not compromise your standards.
‘You've gotta stand for something or you'll fall for anything’ – The Script
1. What is a bad choice you make?
Think of a bad decision you keep making or a bad habit you are currently in.
My Example: A bad choice I make is continuously purchasing tickets to concerts.
2. Why do you make this bad choice?
Note the time you started taking these actions and how it made you feel.
Example: From a young age I have always loved music constantly listening to a variety of different artists and genres. Anytime I was given the chance to support or enjoy music from an artist I would purchase their album, follow them on social media or share their music with friends.
As I reached High School, I begun going to a concert or two a year. Soon after as school finished started I found myself going to concerts really frequently.
3. Why is this a bad choice?
Think about the aftermath of the decision whether that be a couple hours after or the next morning.
Example: In recent times, after concerts I have been left feeling a sense of regret and unsafe. After each show I began to feel a bit of regret that I paid an obscene amount to experience the energy and joy that was short lived. With the night containing many sights of drunk people, drug use and fights breaking out questioned my safety.
4. What is your next move?
Based on the feeling generated with the decision you make consider if it is worthwhile giving up on trying to make it positively impact you and saying no to it.
Example: I have decided that I will attend concerts and music event far less frequently each year. I still appreciate music I same way I had since a young age though now, I choose to continually embrace music in a free and safe listening environment.
5. How is this rewarding for me?
Think about how your new decision will benefit you.
Example: I am now able to provide further safety for myself, feel less tired the next day, save my money and spend time working on my other hobbies.
Prioritising and Taking Action
“Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.” – Saint Augustine
Unfortunately, it is not enough to hope you will not be put in the situation that makes you feel uncomfortable and pushes to be responsible. The only way to prevent the influence on you is by preparing yourself for a situation that it may confront you.
Friends, family, your city, workplace, university or school may present you with irresponsible people who try to persuade you to make a bad decision. Establish a strong 'no' with reasoning now to avoid creating a bad habit you will be left to break.
‘It’s only by saying “no” that you can concentrate on the things that are really important’ – Steve Jobs
Life offers many opportunities to embrace, out of all of the available opportunities it is important to recognise which one worth taking. Putting our well-being first, we must ask ourselves whether this decision will benefit our physical, mental, social and spiritual health.
Saying 'no' with reason is a strong yes to yourself. Take ownership of the choices you are entitled with – the choice to have a night out, drink the extra liquor, have a smoke, fight with someone, flirt with someone, spend all your money or take another shopping spree.
Your day is filled with choices that can change the direction of your days. If you are finding that the opportunities you have agreed to in your week neglects your health it is not the right decision to have been made.
By acknowledging when you feel pressured, upset, exhausted or unsafe in your week you will be able to find ways to create a productive, calm and joyful week.
When you choose to walk away or break a cycle of bad decisions you are respecting all you stand for and following your instincts. If the decision is the right one made you will not feel the need to compromise your standards and ignore your morals. Work towards making the decisions that will positively influence yourself and the lives of others.
Written By Juliette Pierre
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