Action steps are the bridge between wishing and walking in your purpose. If you’ve been circling your big idea but unsure how to begin, this blog is your practical guide to move from dreaming to doing.

In previous posts, we unpacked mindset shifts that hold us back or push us forward—limiting beliefs versus liberating truths, fixed mindset versus growth mindset. Now that you’ve done the inner work, it’s time to transition from preparation to motion.

This is the spot where many aspiring entrepreneurs stall. They analyze every angle, over-process every detail, and rehearse every reason why “now” isn’t the right time. But you don’t need a perfect plan—you need a first step.

The FIRST Step Method

To help you start strong, I created the “FIRST” step method. It’s an easy-to-follow acronym for taking your idea from headspace to action space:

• Find a Good Example

• Insight

• Resourceful

• Self-Awareness

• Take Baby Steps

These action steps can turn hesitation into momentum, one intentional move at a time.

Action Step #1: Find a Good Example

As King Solomon once said, “History merely repeats itself. Nothing under the sun is truly new.”
That includes your business idea.

Chances are, someone is already doing something similar. That’s not a threat—it’s an opportunity. A good example gives you clarity, direction, and even a starting template. As my friend Jokotade writes in Fresh Start, modeling success helps you start when you don’t know how.

So, how do you find your good example?

• Look around you: Friends, mentors, influencers—someone’s already walking the path.

• Search for resources: Read blogs, books, or watch videos related to your idea.

• Use templates: Strategy docs, PDFs, or courses that show you what steps to take.

My own good example came from the book How to Become a Personal Shopper. It gave me a roadmap that turned my dream into a real, revenue-generating business.

Ask yourself:

• Who’s doing what I want to do?

• What can I learn from their process?

Action Step #2: Insight

The right insight helps you filter the noise. In a world full of content, focus is a game changer.

Once I had my good example, I went all in—reading, highlighting, taking notes, and mapping out a path. That one book helped me sketch the first version of my:

• Business Structure

• Service Offerings

• Pricing Model

• Service Delivery Plan

• Customer Policies

These weren’t just rough drafts; they became the actual content for my first website. When you know what to look for, insight becomes your most powerful business tool.

Action Step #3: Resourceful

Being resourceful isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing how to find them.

After gaining clarity, I became a search machine. Google was my co-founder in those early days. I searched for:

• Other personal shoppers

• How to price services

• Tools for managing requests

• Templates for service agreements

I learned to sift through information and refine it into something that worked for me. As Marie Forleo puts it: “Everything is figureoutable.”

So when doubts creep in, remind yourself:

• I can find the answers.

• I will find a way forward.

• I have what it takes.

Action Step #4: Self-Awareness

Here’s something most entrepreneurs skip: building based on who you are.

Self-awareness is essential when making decisions that reflect your values, season of life, and available bandwidth. It protects you from copying others’ blueprints without checking if they align with your reality.

So before you act, pause and reflect:

• What are my values and non-negotiables?

• What’s my current life season? What am I available for?

• How do I naturally work best?

There’s no one-size-fits-all business model. Your path should fit your purpose—like a custom suit, not off-the-rack.

Action Step #5: Take Baby Steps

Let’s keep it real—launching a business isn’t instant. But you can start with a side hustle. Small moves. Simple wins.

You don’t have to quit your job or launch a 10-page website today. Instead, ask what I call the Focusing Question:

“What’s the most basic thing I need to do to serve someone and get paid?”

My answer to that question helped me launch this blog in 3 days. I started with:

• A blog page

• An about page

• A contact form

• A privacy policy

• A single post page

Nothing fancy, just focused.

Now it’s your turn to take your next baby step. Grab a journal or open a doc and answer:

1. What service will I offer?

2. How much will I charge?

3. How will clients pay me?

4. How will I deliver value?

5. What expectations do I need to set?

When you answer those, you’re already building.

Take the FIRST Step!

Moving from dreaming to doing requires intentional action steps. Yes, limiting beliefs will scream. The deadly trio—fear, doubt, and procrastination—will try to pull you back.

But you can push forward with clarity, courage, and small steps.

Obstacles aren’t red flags; they’re reminders that your idea is worth it.

You’ve got what it takes.

Ready to turn your idea into a real business?
Download my free Business Clarity Blueprint and start mapping your path today!