The first step does not need to be impressive; it needs to exist.

Requiring the first step to be impressive is a way of guaranteeing it never happens, since an impressive step needs preparation, and preparation can be extended indefinitely. Existence is the only real requirement, because everything that follows depends on there being something to follow.

Define the smallest version of a start that would still count. One paragraph, one call, one hour. Do that version rather than the good one. Quality becomes available later, and only if the first step happened at all.