Posted: May 1st, 2025

Decision Balance Scale

1. Complete the Decisional Balance Form (attached).  Please complete each square of the grid as fully as possible.  Assign ratings to each item and tally your Pros vs. Cons.  Write a response to the scale, describing what you believe it shows about your readiness to change.  What are the most important/influential Pros and Cons for you?

2. In the same document, identify the Processes of Change that are recommended for your Stage. List each Process of Change for your stage and provide one way in which you will use each Process as you work toward your goal.

Decisional Balance Scale
Pros of Changing
Cons of Changing
For myself
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
For others in my life
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Reactions / feelings of self
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Reactions / feelings of others
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
For this activity, you will need to fill in the lines above with your own thoughts, feelings and
reactions related to your behaviour change. You are welcome to fill in the items directly in the
chart above or reproduce it in a new document, whichever is easier for you.
For myself refers to what could happen to you personally. In the “pros” column, list the positive
things that might happen if you change. In the “cons” column, list the negative things that might
happen.
For others refers to how your behaviour affects other people. What might happen (good and bad)
to those around you if you do not change your habits? How will they be affected? In the “pros”
column, list the positive things that might happen if you change. In the “cons” column, list the
negative things that might happen.
Reactions/feelings of self refers to how you will feel about yourself if you stay the same and not
change your behaviour. How will this affect your self-image, confidence and self-esteem? In the
“pros” column, list the positive feelings you might have if you change. In the “cons” column, list
the negative feelings you might have.
Reactions/feelings of others refers to how your friends, family, roommates, co-workers, clients or
other people might feel or respond if you stay the same and don’t change your behaviour. How
will this affect their feelings about themselves and their feelings about you? ? In the “pros”
column, list the positive feelings they might have if you change. In the “cons” column, list the
negative feelings they might have.
SCORING
This scale is a bit more difficult to score with numbers, since you may not have an even number
of items in each column. For each item you have listed, though, assign it a number between 1
and 5, with 1 being “not important” and 5 being “very important”. Add up the numbers in each
column. Which was higher, the pros or the cons? What does this activity tell you about yourself
and your readiness to make a change?