So you want to change the world. You have a vague idea of how you’d like to do it, but you’re not sure if you really can execute the plan. Approach the creation of a nonprofit as you would a business plan, and then add in a few emotional checkpoints along the way.

First, check in with your motivation. People do nonprofit work for a variety of reasons. Some are just those good, old-fashioned kind souls who really want to change the circumstances they see lacking in others’ lives. Others approach it from an intellectual standpoint, looking at the mission of their nonprofit as a problem-solving mechanism. Still others may do it out of guilt or for the rush from the accolades that come with attempting to change the world. There is nothing wrong with any of these or a blend of all of them. But know this: It will get tough for you. Running a nonprofit isn’t easy. So be prepared to go back again and again to draw from that original well of inspiration to keep you going.

Second, take stock of your resources, both personal and professional. Are you a people person? Are you shy? Are you a good writer? Are you best with facilitating or are you a hands-on type of person? By clearly assessing your own strengths and weaknesses, you can better tailor the types of services your organization will offer. For instance, if you aren’t a people person but want to offer social services, you will have to think about who will be the direct provider of those services. Most nonprofits are not lucky enough to have a big endowment to get them off and running, so you will need to know what you are good at and who you need to bring on board to fill in the blanks. You need to make sure your personality lends itself to the mission and goals of your nonprofit, but don’t let it preclude you from forming a viable organization.

Third, check on the viability of your idea and see who else is doing it. Reach out to other groups that have done similar work. You may not, and hopefully will not, find a group doing exactly what you want to do. However, by talking to groups that do similar work, you can find out what they have done that works for them and what hasn’t worked for them. Also, through your discussions with them you can refine your mission and goals to ensure you are creating an organization that has something unique to offer and a value-added that people can’t find other places.

Third, write a business plan. This is where a lot of potential nonprofits fail. Idealism needs to meet realism. Employ the tactics of building a coherent, well-researched business plan. Think about who exactly you will be as a nonprofit. Of course this will grow and change throughout the years, but you need to have a clear mission to begin with. Do a product and services analysis. Make sure you know what you will have to offer and the potential beneficiaries of this product or service. For instance, you may want to feed those who do not have enough food. Your service would be delivering meals to those who need it. Your market (potential beneficiaries) are those who live below the poverty line that don’t get enough subsidized meals to make it through the week.

As you continue writing your business plan, continue to churn through all the ins and outs of the organization. How will your business operate? Who will be in charge of day-to-day operations? (Initially, that will be you.) Finally, put together a marketing strategy. Why do you want a marketing strategy? To get the word out about your organization to both potential beneficiaries and donors.

Once you have the basics of the self-assessment and the business plan, start your 1023, which is your 501(c)(3) application. And buckle up, you’re in for a ride!