MAKING GOOD DECISIONS — A Process in the Catholic Tradition

• Identify needs and wants. These may not be identical.
   
• Define the desired outcome. What do you want the end result to be? Do we agree on what we want?
   
• List the alternatives. Is there another option? Can we wait?
   
• Gather information. Get all the facts about the subject at hand — as much information, from as many sources as possible.
   
• Evaluate. Weigh and compare the accumulated information and list each fact as a pro or con.
   
• Discuss honestly. What does each of us expect the outcome of this discussion to be? What does each person think and feels is important?
   
• Pray about your decision. Pray throughout the entire process, separately and as a couple.
   
• Make an informed decision. Once you have thought it through, you can make the decision with confidence.
   
• Share with your spouse. You tell me what we have decided, and then I tell you what we have decided. If our decision is not the same, we begin again.
   
• Review your decision periodically. As time goes by, we may decide differently, or we may affirm our choices.