Choices people make can affect present or future decisions Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Master Sgt. Jay Hoth 71st Medical Group Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Each day we make choices that immediately or eventually affect our lives or the way we live them. From the moment we wake up or at least somewhat wake up, until we go to sleep we are making choices. Do I hit the snooze button one more time and get five more minutes of sleep? Do I skip breakfast because I hit the snooze button? Do I stay up to watch the news or go to bed? Most choices affect many other things that occur during our day. Did staying up late to watch the news lead to hitting the snooze button, causing you to skip breakfast or even being late to work? In this example, one choice starts a cascade of effects that are now out of your control. Some choices have positive outcomes; others negative. Much depends on positive versus negative in relation to how much time is taken to make the choice. Do I make the snap decision to quit my job when my boss really makes me angry, or do I take it in stride and plot out my next career move? Although many snap decisions have the potential to be positive, many thought-out decisions can be negative. When making choices, we need to make sure we are in the proper frame of mind. How many bad choices are made while under the influence of alcohol or while angry, depressed or as an emotional reaction? Unfortunately, many of the choices made during these times have lasting, if not permanent, consequences. We've all been trained on suicide prevention, and these factors are the leading contributors to making a permanent, bad choice. So, what does it take to make a good choice? First, you need to be in the proper frame of mind. Second, you need to take the time to weigh the pros and cons of what you are making a choice about. Third, you need the proper information or education to make a choice knowing all the facts, good and bad. Lastly, you should have an idea of what the possible outcomes of making your choice will be. Many times when someone makes a choice and hasn't done these things, he or she doesn't achieve the expected outcome. When asked about the choice and the actual outcome, most answer "I didn't think about that." As a first sergeant, I see the end result of a lot of choices people make on a daily basis. It could be the result of a bad choice where I need to get their commander involved and initiate some type of disciplinary action be it administrative, non-judicial or even judicial. Examples of good choices come in the form of Letters of Appreciation, Enlisted Performance Reports, decorations and quarterly awards packages. You may wonder how these things are examples of good choices ... easy. The individual had to make a personal choice to do the things, making a positive impact to not only themselves but to the base and community as a whole. Ultimately, your choices are yours to make. Life is all about the choices you make; what's yours?