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Makin’ It Makin’ It WorkWork

Lesson 8:Lesson 8:

Choices & Choices & ConsequencesConsequences

Module III: Solving Problems LogicallyModule III: Solving Problems Logically © 2008 © 2008 by Steve Parese, Ed.D.by Steve Parese, Ed.D.

Transitioning from Corrections Transitioning from Corrections to Community and the World of to Community and the World of WorkWork

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Words of Words of WisdomWisdom

“Definition of insanity:

Doing the same things over & over again, expecting different

results.”What do you get out of this? How does it apply

to you?

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1. Read new story about Anna

2. Solve her problem by listing her choices & consequences

3. Apply this to our own problems

4. Review & MiniQuiz

Today’s Today’s LessonLessonToday’s lesson will focus on

weighing the pros and cons of all possible choices when solving a difficult problem.

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Anna’s Story Anna’s Story 22Let’s read along on Let’s read along on page 44page 44..

““Anna decided to ask Mrs. Anna decided to ask Mrs. Roberts for help finding a Roberts for help finding a job…”job…”

Questions after reading:Anna is about to make a serious mistake. Use the guide on page 45 to help her resolve her problem.

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Step 1: Stop & ThinkStep 1: Stop & Think Anna decides to stop and think about her problem before jumping to conclusions. She takes a deep, calming breath and walks across the street to an all-night diner to think this out.

“Don’t flip out. Just slow down and think this through.”

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Step 2: Define ProblemStep 2: Define Problem

2.2. DefineDefine ProblemProblem

She orders a cup of coffee and writes her

Problem Statements.

“My problem is I am _________ about _____________.”

“My problem is I am confused about which job to take.”“My manager probably feels worried that I might leave without giving notice."

“My manager probably feels _______ that I might ______."

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Step 3: Identify GoalStep 3: Identify Goal

3. Identify3. Identify GoalGoal

After some thinking about what is most

important, she decides

on her Goal Statement.

“I want _____________ (but without _______________).”

“I want the best paying job, without giving up benefits or safety.”

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Back to Harvey’sAnna realizes she needs more information about Harvey and his job offer. She decides to go back

and ask him some specific questions.

What should she ask about?What is the TAKE-HOME PAY? Are there TIPS? BONUSES?

RAISES?

What about BENEFITS? (Medical, dental, child care)

What kind of HOURS? JOB DUTIES? CUSTOMERS?

PROMOTION?

And is Harvey really SLEAZY? Is it a SAFE PLACE to work?

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About Choices

In any problem situation, we have many possible responses. Poor problem solvers often get stuck in a rut, making the same mistakes over and over again... expecting different results.

Good problem solvers are able to see many alternatives to a problem situation, and that gives them more choices.

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4. Choices 4. Choices &&

ConsequencConsequenceses

After getting her answers from Harvey, Anna decides to list all her possible choices, even bad

ones.

What are ALL her possible choices?

Step 4: Consider ChoicesStep 4: Consider Choices

1. Call in sick tomorrow and avoid the problem.2. Talk to the manager at the Hotel right now. Whatever happens, happens.3. Go into the Hotel tomorrow but avoid the manager. Deny it if confronted.4. Go into the Hotel tomorrow and try to negotiate the best salary by playing one job against the other.5. Go into the Hotel tomorrow and be honest. Explain that she talked with Harvey but wants to stay at her current job.6. Work both jobs on different shifts until she can make up her mind. 7. Quit the Hotel and work at Harvey's.8. Work at Harvey's with intention to marry/date him for his money.9. Quit both jobs and stay at home. Possibly find another job or take some classes.

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About ConsequencesWe should make a habit of considering the predictable consequences of our options BEFORE we make a choice.

Poor problem solvers often make two critical mistakes:a. They think only about the immediate consequences, and ignore the long-term ones.b. They fail to consider how their choices will affect others in their lives.

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4. Choices 4. Choices &&

ConsequencConsequenceses

Anna carefully considers the consequences of her choices, weighing their

pros and cons.

What are the positive and negative consequences of Anna’s

choices?

Step 5: Consider Step 5: Consider ConsequencesConsequences

OPTION 6. Work both jobs on different shifts until she can make up her mind. NEGATIVE:

Exhausted. Has to deal with Harvey’s sleaziness. Might miss meetings at Hope House. Could be discovered and fired from both jobs.

POSITIVE: Double her take-home salary. Avoids having to make choice right now.

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About Choose & ActTo find the best choice, look back at your original goal. Compare it to your choices and their consequences.

Then ask:"Which choice is most likely to reach my goal with the fewest negative consequences?"

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5. 5. Choose Choose & & ActAct

Anna’s original goal was:

“I want the best paying job without giving up benefits or

safety.”

Which choice best reaches this goal with the fewest negative

consequences?

Step 5: Choose & ActStep 5: Choose & Act

1. Call in sick tomorrow and avoid the problem.2. Talk to the manager at the Hotel right now. Whatever happens,

happens.3. Go into the Hotel tomorrow but avoid the manager. Deny it if

confronted.4. Go into the Hotel tomorrow. Negotiate by playing jobs against

each other.5. Go into the Hotel tomorrow. Be honest but explain you want to

stay. 6. Work both jobs on different shifts until she can make up her

mind. 7. Quit the Hotel and work at Harvey's.8. Work at Harvey's with intention to marry/date him for his

money.9. Quit both jobs and stay at home. Possibly find another job or

take some classes.

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Group Activity

Solving Solving YOURYOUR Own Problem Own Problem

Use the worksheet on page 47 to analyze one work-related problem. Take it through all the steps. Prepare to share (or even act out) your scenario with the group.

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KEY POINT #1KEY POINT #1Good problem solvers avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Instead, they come up with as many choices as possible before making a decision.

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KEY POINT KEY POINT #2#2

It is important to think about both long- and

short-term consequences of our decisions, not only

for ourselves, but for others as well.

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MiniQuiz #8MiniQuiz #8Let’s complete the

MiniQuiz in the workbook and review

it as a group.

√√

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Today’s Words of Today’s Words of Wisdom:Wisdom:

“Definition of insanity:

Doing the same things over & over again, expecting different

results.”How does this fit in with our lesson?

What is ONE THING you learned in this class that you will remember after

leaving?