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Manage Your Back-to-School Decisions with the HALT Tool
As we head into fall and the back-to-school season begins, there’s a noticeable shift in energy that affects everyone. To help you manage this busy time and ensure you’re making the best decisions, I want to share a simple but effective tool: the HALT acronym. Originally from Alcoholics Anonymous, HALT is a quick way to check in with yourself amid the chaos.
What Does HALT Stand For?
HALT stands for:
- Hungry: Are you physically needing something, like food or drink?
- Angry: Are you experiencing strong emotions that might be clouding your judgment?
- Lonely: Could reaching out to a friend or family member help you feel supported?
- Tired: Do you simply need to rest and recharge?
Why HALT Matters
HALT provides an in-the-moment tool to assess your decision fitness. Decision fitness means being ready and able to make good choices. It involves thinking clearly, managing your emotions, effectively using information, understanding your own biases, being adaptable, and employing smart decision-making skills.
Before making any decision, HALT helps you ensure you are not impaired by basic unmet needs that can affect your judgment. As life gets busier and more complicated, it’s easy to overlook these basic needs. However, neglecting them can lead to decision fatigue and reduced effectiveness in our daily lives.
How to Use HALT in Your Daily Life
Before you make your next decision, take a moment to HALT:
- Stop and check in with yourself: Are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?
- Address your needs: This might mean grabbing a snack, taking a moment to calm down, calling a friend, or even taking a nap.
This tool is especially useful now, as the change in seasons and routines can amplify these feelings. If you notice someone else struggling, offer them the same simple check-in—sometimes a small intervention can make a big difference.
Share Thoughtful Thursday with a Friend
I hope this tool supports you as you adjust to the new season and all the changes it brings.
Do you have a friend who feels life’s pressures, experiences overwhelm, or needs more calm? Share Thoughtful Thursday with them! They can sign up here.
[Watch this Thoughtful Thursday Video Here]
Amy Day
Decision Coach & Co-Founder of Clarity4Action
