Few things in this life as as satisfying as the feeling of accomplishment. That mix of relief and pride is euphoric, isn’t it? Crossing the finish line, sealing the deal with a firm handshake, hearing others ooh and aah over an award you hold in your hands: nothing tops that.

Setting goals is actually much easier than most people believe. If you want to open your own shop or you want to get a promotion at your work, the idea seems daunting. But that’s only because at this point in time, it’s just an idea, an intangible concept and without a set plan, yes, it feels like something you can’t actually achieve. It’s like wanting to go to travel the country, but you don’t even have a road map. Here we’ve set out a few tips for that trip.

First, you want to be realistic with yourself. What is your goal? WILL you actually try to achieve it? Do you have the time and the interest to invest in the challenges because it’s not going to be easy. You can gain the skills and resources along the way, but if you’re not 100% committed, you may as well quit now.

So be specific. Identify your goal by answering the question “What do you want to achieve?” Not just “What do you want?” We all want health and wealth, but you need to think about what specifically you want to do. Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to have a certain amount of money in your bank account by retirement? Start broad, but just keep a specific goal in mind.

Saying “I want to walk a mile a day” is more specific than “Walk more.” Deciding to take a business class is more specific than wanting to learn about business.

Your goals should be measurable. Break down your ultimate long-term goal into simple short-term goals that you can achieve one at a time and you will be able to keep track of. Writing your goals is a great way to measure your progress because it makes them “real” and harder to forget.

You can write your goals and plan on a calendar, in a list, using an app or making a spreadsheet. Then, as you accomplish each step, you can cross them out. You’ll see your progress and it will keep you motivated!

Make sure your goals are even attainable. Do you have the funds to open a business? If not, do you know how to get funding? Is this the best move for you right now?

They should be relevant, too. It’s all well and good to want to open your own yoga studio, but if you don’t even like yoga, then what’s the point? Your goal should also in some way make you happy and fulfilled. If you’re not going to be happy once you reach your goal, then it wasn’t relevant.

Your goal should be time-bound. Give yourself a time frame you can stick to, but be flexible. As you accomplish or don’t accomplish each step, you need to be able to change your plan to stay on track.

When you do accomplish your goal, go ahead and celebrate! Do a dance, pop some bottles, but the most important part is to not stop! Set the next goal and keep moving forward. Because really, there is no “end” to your goals. Continue on, keep improving, keep learning, and keep expanding.

Happy goal setting!