Stuck? Here Are the Only 3 Things You Need to Start Your Goal Today

You don’t need more motivation. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to start. And to start, you only need three things. That might sound too simple—but that’s exactly why most people miss it. They overthink. They wait for inspiration to strike. They wait for permission, for clarity, for a push from the outside. And while they wait, their dreams sit untouched. But in Success in 7 Steps, Dierdre Wolownick—writer, teacher, musician, climber, speaker, mother—reveals that the real secret to progress isn’t some mystical formula. It’s structure. And that structure begins with three basic things you need before you can even take the first step toward your goal. If you’ve ever told yourself, “I want to do this, but I don’t know where to begin,” this book is your starting line. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Right now. Because once you understand what you actually need to move forward, everything changes.

Let’s be real. Most people feel stuck not because their dream is too big—but because it’s too blurry. As Dierdre says, a dream is wonderful, but unless it’s turned into a goal, it goes nowhere. Her mother, for example, spent years talking about the novel she wanted to write. It brought her joy and excitement just thinking about it. But she never started. And when she passed away, the story died with her. That wasn’t a failure of imagination. It was a lack of structure. Dierdre doesn’t want that to happen to you. She wants your idea to take form, to grow, to be lived—not just longed for. And in her method, the very first thing she teaches is this: there are only three things you truly need to begin pursuing your goal.

The first is knowledge. What do you need to know about your goal? If you want to write a book, do you know the genre you’re writing in? Do you know what publishing options exist? Do you understand how to structure a manuscript? If you want to start a business, what are the legal or financial basics you should research first? The truth is, you can’t move forward if you have no clue where you’re going. And yet, many people try to do just that. They jump into action without learning the basics. And then they burn out. They get discouraged. They feel like they failed. But really—they just skipped this step. In Dierdre’s words, “All the baby steps in the world won’t get you anywhere if you don’t know how to arrange them.” Knowing what you need to learn is the first step that removes confusion. It gives you clarity. It gives your dream a direction.

The second thing you need is the right tools. Dierdre calls this: what you need to have. This could be physical things like a journal, a good pair of running shoes, a laptop, or software. It could also mean resources like time slots in your schedule, a supportive community, or a mentor who can offer guidance. Without the right tools, even the best intentions fall flat. She gives a great example from her own life: when she decided to become a publisher. This was before the internet made things easier. She had to get letterhead, business cards, mailing supplies, storage space, and more. None of it happened overnight. But each item she gathered brought her one step closer to her goal. And the list kept growing. That’s how it works. Once you commit, the next pieces show up as you go. But you have to gather the basics first.

The third, and final, thing you need is action—what you need to do. But here is the key: only take action once you’ve done the first two steps. That’s the biggest mistake people make. They start acting without learning or preparing. And then they wonder why they feel lost. Dierdre’s system teaches that action becomes much easier and more effective when it comes after knowledge and preparation. When you understand the goal, and have the tools in place, taking that first step no longer feels overwhelming. It feels natural. And remember, action doesn’t have to be huge. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Start small. Write 300 words. Walk for 10 minutes. Make one phone call. Sign up for one free online class. The goal is to build momentum, not to achieve everything in a day. Even 5% effort keeps you moving. Just don’t give 0%.

These three elements—knowing, having, and doing—may sound simple. But they are life-changing when applied in the right order. They transform an idea into a path. They turn that scary, far-off dream into something you can actually approach, touch, and complete. Dierdre has used this method for every reinvention in her life. When she learned to swim in middle age. When she climbed El Capitan at 66. When she created and led an orchestra. When she launched her own publishing company. She didn’t do any of it by winging it or waiting for the stars to align. She used this three-part system, every single time. That’s what she’s offering you through her book. Not just encouragement, but a clear way forward. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to know what to focus on first.