|
My wife and I have made mistakes during our marriage - lamps on sale that were no bargain and for which it was impossible to find replacement bulbs, following an early generation GPS on a dirt road through the back of someone's property, and so on. But for twenty-eight years we have marveled at how well we make decisions together. We weigh the relevant factors in a decision and end up with results we either feel good about or with which we are at least OK.
Effective decision-making starts early, but it seems that college is a key life stage for honing this skill.
Two of our three children will be heading to college this fall. This is a day we have long anticipated, but sometimes felt would never arrive. Now that it's here we are trying to reinforce life lessons we've been teaching for years.
Picture this: Young woman walking alone down an alley toward her dorm, inebriated at 2 AM. Not a good scenario. Many of the sensational crimes we hear about involve people doing the wrong things in the wrong places at the wrong time. If you're in your bed by midnight there is far less chance of something bad happening. No guarantees, but your chances of a positive outcome improve dramatically.
 It's time to consider TALC. (Trust me, I worked to design a better acronym, but ended up with TALC. Would you prefer CLAT?)
#1: Consider the TIME
Is it a reasonable hour? Is it a time of day (or night) that attracts those who are likely to be lacking self-control and looking for confrontation or trouble?
#2: Consider your ACTIVITY
What are you up to? Are you engaged in activities that make you more vulnerable to trouble and the poor, or even evil, choices of others? Actively seeking impairment leaves you open to undesired outcomes - yet many college students spend significant amounts of time doing just this.
#3: Consider your LOCATION
Where are you and where are you headed? Are there plenty of other people around? Are you walking in a well-lit and safe environment? Are you traveling in a vehicle that is being driven safely?
#4: Consider your CONDITION
When your condition is unimpaired you are able to make better decisions. Studies show that muggers target people who are walking awkwardly or without confidence. Stand up straight, walk steadily and with purpose, and you are less likely to be attacked.
We'll be encouraging our children to consider TALC, because it is possible to adopt strategies for decision-making that make desirable outcomes more likely. Being in your own bed at a decent hour is a great first step.
|
Copyright © 2015 by Dr. Stephen Julian. All rights reserved.
|
