In which step is it critical to define what you hope to achieve?

Defining what you hope to achieve is crucial during the first step of the decision-making process, which involves identifying the decision or problem. This initial stage sets the foundation for all subsequent steps. By clearly articulating your goals and the specific outcomes you desire, you establish a framework that guides your evaluation of evidence, consideration of alternatives, and overall decision-making.

When a clear objective is defined, it becomes easier to measure potential options against those goals, assess whether they align with your desires, and ultimately make choices that are more likely to lead to satisfactory results. Without a clear understanding of what one hopes to achieve, the remaining steps may lack direction and could lead to decisions that do not effectively address the issue at hand.