If you have a big dream on your heart—starting a podcast, writing a book, launching a business, or even moving to a new city—but it feels too overwhelming to start, I want to show you the exact process I use to break a big dream into small, doable steps.

This is the secret sauce that’s helped me bring every one of my dreams to life, from publishing a book to building a business and splitting my time between Europe and the U.S. No matter what your dream is, it can work for you, too. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Brain Dump Every Step You Can Think Of

Open up a Google Doc, notebook, or even the Notes app on your phone, and write down every step you can think of that relates to your dream, big and small.

Don’t worry about order. Don’t worry if you’re forgetting something. The goal here is just to take all those floating thoughts out of your head and get them onto one page. You’re turning dream clutter into a working roadmap, even if it feels random or half-complete.

Let’s say your dream is to start a podcast. The list you can think of right now might include:

• Pick a name
• Choose a topic
• Research microphones
• Learn how to record
• Create podcast cover art
• Find an editor (or research if you even need one)
• Publish your first episode

When I was writing my first book, my list looked like:

• Come up with a book topic
• Brainstorm chapter ideas
• Write the chapters
• Find an editor
• Design a book cover
• Create a launch plan

I didn’t know everything, but I could see SOME steps at the outset. So I started there.

Step 2: Break One Step Into Bite-Size Tasks

This is where the magic happens. Take one of the steps you just wrote and break it down into smaller steps that you could complete in 15–30 minutes.

For example, if one of your steps is “Choose a business name,” that can be broken down into:

• Brainstorm a list of potential names
• Check availability on your state’s Secretary of State website
• Narrow down the top options
• Check domain availability for your website
• Choose your favorite out of the remaining options

Suddenly, you’re not staring at one overwhelming to-do. You’re looking at a set of quick, clear action items that you can check off your list, one day at a time. Each one of those tasks takes around 15 to 30 minutes, but moves you measurably forward. And that’s the key to turning your big dream into reality—one manageable step at a time.

Same thing if you’re starting a podcast. If “research a microphone” feels vague or overwhelming, break it into smaller steps like:

• Search top podcast microphones on Google or YouTube
• Read or watch a few reviews about top microphones
• Choose one that fits your budget
• Order it online

Each of those is a task you could knock out with a coffee in hand. That’s the goal—create momentum with small, consistent wins. As you do, your dream doesn’t feel as overwhelming. It starts to feel doable, rewarding, and even fun. You start to build confidence in your brilliant, beautiful self as someone who can figure anything out. Here’s the truth:

Small Steps Lead to Big Progress

This two-step process—dumping your ideas out and breaking one down further—has been the backbone of every dream I’ve ever built.

When I wrote my book, I didn’t know where to begin. But once I chose a topic, I told myself: “Just write one chapter.” I used to imagine, for every chapter, that I was just writing a blog post—something that I had done hundreds of times before and felt very approachable to me. But on days when even that felt too big, I made it smaller: “Just write one section. One page. One paragraph.”

And little by little, that book got written.

Then came the editor. I had no idea where to find one. But I broke that into:

• Google book editors
• Read reviews
• Reach out to a few editors
• Learn more about their pricing, requirements, etc.
• Choose my favorite editor
• Send the manuscript

Each next step appeared after I took the one before it. That’s what happens when you’re in motion—clarity follows action. You simply cannot see every step when you begin. Most people think they should, and assume something must be wrong if they can’t, so they keep waiting. In reality, you just have to begin. That’s when the next step appears. That’s the magic.

Why 15–30 Minute Tasks Are the Sweet Spot

Most people stall on their dreams because they don’t have hours to work on them. But you don’t need hours. What you need is consistency.

If you do one small thing every day—just 15 to 30 minutes—you’ll be shocked at the progress you make in a month. A name chosen. A mic ordered. A chapter written. A website launched. It adds up.

This is especially powerful if you have a full-time job or kids. You’re not trying to overhaul your life overnight. You’re creating a habit of forward movement. When I ran a blog in my twenties, I used to carve out Monday nights as my night to write all blog posts for the week ahead. I had a busy life, so most weeks, that was the only time I could count on to get everything done for the week ahead. But I protected that time and hustled to get it done. And it worked—I published five blog posts a week for years as I slowly grew my blog and community.

Today, Try This

If your dream has been sitting on the shelf because it feels too big to start, do this:

1. Write down every step you can think of right now (it doesn’t have to be perfect)
2. Choose one step and break it into tiny 15–30 minute tasks
3. Pick the first one and do it today

That’s it. That’s the process I’ve used to build a business, launch a podcast, write a book, and even move across the world. And you can, too!

Big dreams aren’t built in a day. But they are built—step by step, day by day, in pockets of time that add up to something extraordinary. I believe in you!

More to Support You in Your Brightest Life & Biz

✨ Discover Your Passion: This free workbook will help you uncover your passion and purpose—whether you’re looking for more joy or fulfillment, to reignite your spark, or to turn your passion into a business. Get instant access >

✨ Find Your Brilliant Business Idea: If you’ve ever wanted to start a business but had no idea where to begin, this free workbook will help you turn your experience and interests into a profitable business idea. Get started here >

✨ Read My Book, Your Bright Life: Feel encouraged, supported, and inspired as you get clear on what you want, overcome self-doubt, and bring your dreams to life. Get your copy >