While reading UC San Diego’s webpage “Ethics Awareness”, I became very interested in their ‘7-Step Path’ to making better decisions. I like to believe I follow this exact path in most decision-making scenarios, but they go in-depth with each step and explain how each is vital to the process. As I reflected on my own decision-making, I realized that I often use several of these steps without even labeling them as part of a structured approach. For instance, I always try to pause before reacting, especially when emotions come into play. Taking that moment to stop and think helps me to avoid impulsive choices and gives me the space to consider what truly matters. I also find that clarifying my goals has been one of the most important steps in my personal and professional life. Knowing what I want in the short term versus what aligns with my long-term growth helps me make choices that feel more intentional and less driven by temporary convenience.

When it comes to determining facts and developing options, I tend to gather as much information as possible, often reaching out to people I trust for their perspectives. It helps me see beyond my own assumptions. However, one step that really stood out to me while reading was “monitor and modify.” I realized that I rarely go back to assess how my decisions actually play out. Once I make a choice, I tend to move on, most of the time assuming it was the right one. This made me think about how valuable it would be to consistently evaluate the outcomes of my actions and adjust when necessary. It shows that ethical decision-making isn’t a one-time process, but an ongoing process of reflection and growth that helps you to remain intentional with your decisions.

UC San Diego. (2025, October 3). Ethics Awareness. Blink. https://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/accountability/ethics-awareness.html#the-decision-making-model