I engage in avoidance behavior and procrastinate. This leads to me feeling paralyzed and stuck. This resultant stress has decreased my appetite, motivation, and my energy levels are similarly decreased. Festinger and Carlsmith (1959) studied cognitive dissonance and its relevance to decision-making and problem solving. Cognitive dissonance is evident in my decision making situation. In my heart I do not want to have to make a choice. I want to relieve the discomfort I feel when my behavior differs noticeably from what I think and feel. On the surface, I am maintaining a positive attitude and I continue to excel in my current position.

I will brainstorm and identify numerous potential alternatives and synthesize these findings. Eventually, I will narrow down the potential occupations to a manageable number of options. I will identify the costs and benefits of each alternative. Assigning a value to each position and deciding what the important elements are in each position will help to prioritize the list of possible job placements.

The actual problem solving and decision-making can be divided into stages of communication, analysis, synthesis, valuing, execution, and then a repeat of communication. External and internal demands and events influence my communication. The event in this example is that as of September 2004, my current job position will be eliminated. My co-workers and friends remind me that I will have problems if I do not make a timely decision and start planning and preparing. Internally, I am scared about starting something new. I am afraid that I won’t like a different job, afraid that I will not make a comparable salary, and that I will not even be able to find a job in my field.

The next processing domain usually involves metacognitions, self-talk, self-awareness, monitoring and control. Self-talk can be negative, such as “I’ll never be able to make a good employment choice.” The self-awareness involves the uncertainty and anxiety involved in career choices when faced with change. The monitoring and control element is evident in one’s realization that I need help in making this choice. These metacognitions are required to select, initiate, coordinate, and m

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