Test Small, Think Big

How I Started My Writing Journey

Like many entrepreneurs, I constantly have new ideas and the urge to bring them to life—what I like to call “entrepreneuritis.” One of those ideas was writing a book. I’ve always believed that books are a powerful medium, capable of lasting for generations. But writing a book is a massive undertaking, and I didn’t want to dive in without testing the waters first.

So, I asked myself: What’s a smaller way to experiment with writing and get a tangible result in a relatively short time?

The answer? A children’s book.

Why a children’s book?

• It’s short and manageable.
• It allows for creativity.
• It sounded like a fun challenge.

How I Did It

Instead of overcomplicating the process, I focused on taking action with small, achievable steps. Here’s exactly how I made it happen:

1. Start Writing
   I opened a blank Word document and set a goal: write one page per week. This pace made the project feel achievable and aligned with the shorter format of a children’s book.
2. Outsource What You Can’t Do
   I’m not an illustrator, so I found a talented freelancer on Fiverr to create the characters and artwork for my book. There are plenty of similar platforms where you can find illustrators to bring your ideas to life.
3. Pivot When Necessary
   As I worked on the book, I realized I wanted to refine the concept. I decided to shift my focus to a book about young entrepreneurs, which aligned more closely with my interests and long-term vision.
4. Refine and Update
   After completing the first draft, I went back and updated the details to improve the flow and clarity of the story.
5. Get Professional Feedback
   I returned to Fiverr to have my book professionally reviewed, ensuring it was polished and ready for the next steps.

Key Takeaway: Start Small, but Start

Testing small doesn’t mean thinking small. By breaking a big idea into a manageable first step, I was able to gain experience, build confidence, and take meaningful action toward my goal.

If you have a big idea but feel overwhelmed, ask yourself: What’s a smaller version of this that I can test right now?

Start small. Iterate. Learn. And then think bigger.

PS – my book will be finished very soon – titled – Alba the Brave – a book about trying and not giving up.