Have you ever stopped to think about how many choices you make in a single day? It might seem like a simple question, but the reality is that as adults, we make an astonishing number of decisions daily. Researchers estimate that an average adult makes around 35,000 decisions each day.
Let’s break it down. If we do the math, that’s approximately 2,000 decisions per hour or one decision every two seconds. These decisions can vary from seemingly insignificant ones, like choosing what to have for breakfast or which shirt to wear, to more critical choices that have a significant impact on our lives.
With so many choices to make, it’s only natural that sometimes we get it right, and sometimes we make mistakes. Some decisions turn out to be great, while others might prove to be not so favorable. However, the ability to make choices and learn from both good and bad outcomes is an essential aspect of our lives.
But how did we learn to handle making choices in the first place? As individuals, we develop our decision-making skills over time through experience, observation, and education. Two Rules is a framework that aims to help students navigate the process of making choices effectively.
The foundation of Two Rules centers around two fundamental principles: feeling good and feeling safe. When making decisions, students are encouraged to ask themselves questions about how their actions or words may impact themselves and others. By evaluating the answers to these questions, they can identify potential problems and recognize the need for finding solutions.
This is where collaboration between the school, home, and the community comes into play. When a student realizes they are facing a problem, the support network steps in to work together and discover ways to assist and guide the student in finding a resolution if all of the supports are needed. Sometimes, not all of the supports are needed, but we have them all connected if they are needed. When it is a disagreement, students can resolve the issue together as we work through the problem solving process.
Ultimately, learning to make choices is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to foster an environment where individuals can learn, practice, and develop their decision-making skills. Through understanding the consequences of our choices and embracing the principles of feeling good and feeling safe, we can make better decisions and lead more fulfilling lives.