Each one of us has, at one time or another, felt super motivated about making a complete change in some aspect of our life. Sometimes we swear to start on Monday evening only to lose every ounce of interest by Wednesday afternoon.

The path that we must take to reach our goals may not always be easy or smooth, but as long as we continue down the path in the right direction, a goal is attainable. If you are struggling to reach a goal, here are some tips on how to actually increase your stamina and help you to do what it takes.

Firstly, remember to always make your goal attainable. Having an attainable goal is an important factor in how likely you will be to stick to a plan.

Visualize your goal. At that first moment when you decided to pursue your goal, you visualized it to the point that it almost felt real. An important factor in sticking to and reaching a goal is just that. Incorporate visualization as a daily practice. When you wake up in the morning visualize the process, even the struggle, and see the end result of how it would look once you attain your goal. When you picture yourself doing what it takes and reaching the ever-so-wonderful finish line, it will greatly help your dream become a reality. Visualize daily.

Write in a journal. Writing down your goal greatly increases your chances of sticking to a plan. Answer questions such as “When do I want to achieve this?” “How will I feel when I achieve it?” “How does my goal connect to who I am and my values?” Describe your goal very specifically. By writing in a journal, you can also measure your progress and record it. Write daily.

Always have an If-Then plan. This will allow you to plan for the unexpected and still stick to your plan. It will allow you to create a strategy and stick to what you need to do. You will have fewer excuses to quit and more options to continue.

Tell others about your goal and get them involved. Social support is a wonderful way to stick to your goal. When people in your life become aware of what you are looking to accomplish, why and when you want to accomplish it and how you will go about making it happen, it holds you accountable. When others give you feedback, keep you accountable and become your cheerleader, it’s likely that you will continue down the path to reach your goal. Tell others.

Plan the first step. There is an old Chinese proverb that says “A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.” Take that first step. Take that step even if it is something as simple as doing research and reading about what you need to do in order to reach your goal. From the first step, move to the second, the third and so on. Take that first step.

Always believe in yourself. You need to believe in yourself in order to stick to the plan. By believing in yourself, you increase your chances of reaching your goal. Believe in what you can achieve. Remember the saying “If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.”

Working towards goals can be difficult. It can be frustrating. Regardless, moving forward is crucial. Sometimes what you thought would work doesn’t. It is then that you think of and incorporate something else that will continue you to move forward. If you find that you are struggling, that’s where social support helps. Ask those that know about your goal for some ideas. It may shed a different light and make you see things in a different way. Adjusting a goal is always an option, giving up is not.

Celebrate your victory. When you reach your goal, relish in it. Be proud of yourself and thank anyone who supported you along the way.

Be clear about what you want. Have a plan. Have support. Create goals that work for you to create the life that you want. Use these techniques and your dreams can soon be your reality.