Decision Balance Worksheet
Weigh the costs and benefits of a thought or behavior to guide intentional change
Decision Balance Worksheet
Weigh the costs and benefits of a thought or behavior to guide intentional change
A decision balance analysis helps you step back from automatic patterns and evaluate whether a thought or behavior is truly serving you. By listing the costs and benefits side by side and rating their importance, you gain clarity about what motivates the pattern and what it may be costing you. This technique is widely used in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy to increase readiness for change.
Write the thought or behavior you want to evaluate at the top. In the Costs column, list every negative consequence or disadvantage. In the Benefits column, list every positive consequence or advantage. Rate the importance of each item from 1 (not important) to 10 (very important). Compare the totals to inform your decision about whether to maintain, modify, or replace the pattern.
| Costs | Importance (1-10) | Benefits | Importance (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
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