To "attempt" means to "try." A step is one process taken in a sequential series of other processes. As an example, we're going to imagine cooking rice in three attempts.
FIRST ATTEMPT
Step 1: Heat the rice.
Step 2: Add water.
Step 3: Wash rice.
(Of course if you try cooking rice this way, the attempt will certainly be unsuccessful)
ATTEMPT 2
Step 1: Heat water.
Step 2: Pour the hot water over the rice
Step 3: Wash rice.
(Of course this attempt would also prove to be unsuccessful)
ATTEMPT 3
Step 1: Wash rice
Step 2: Add water to rice
Step 3: Heat rice with the water
(This attempt should be successful).
~~Hope my attempt to answer your question proves helpful to you. ;)