What is the first step of the decision-making process?

The first step of the decision-making process is to define your needs and wants. This step is crucial because it sets the foundation for making informed choices. By understanding what you truly need or want, you establish clear criteria that will guide your subsequent decisions. This clarity helps you to focus on what is most important to you and ensures that your eventual choices align with your goals and values. Without properly defining your needs and wants, it would be challenging to identify appropriate choices or make effective decisions later in the process.

Identifying choices and analyzing resources are essential parts of the process but come after you've established a clear understanding of your needs and wants. Making a decision is the final step that relies on the groundwork laid by the initial steps. By starting with a clear definition of needs and wants, you empower yourself to navigate the decision-making process more effectively.