(BPT) — What’s your goal for 2016? Do you want to lose weight, learn a new skill or quit smoking? Perhaps you’ve decided to set goals around your career instead.

Earning more money or getting promoted are common pursuits, but what if your goal is bigger than just moving up in your current career? What if 2016 were the year you decided to follow your ambition and become a teacher? If you’re sick of heading to work feeling uninspired and you’re ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of teaching, these four steps can help you make a successful career transition into teaching today.

Change your priorities

Many people want to change jobs, but that desire is often overshadowed by concerns about how much money they’ll earn, how they’ll be seen by family and friends or their fears of trying something new. Make pursuing your passion your number one objective and everything else will fall into place.

Seek expert knowledge

If you’re going to make a career change, you want to do it right, and that means learning from the best in the business. Focus on what you want to do and start researching who does it better than anyone else.

Smart networking

Knowledge is essential and the right connections will make sure it doesn’t go to waste.

Connect with existing friends in your desired field or reach out and make new contacts through social media or conferences and join clubs that cater to what you want to do.

For aspiring teachers that can include networking with principals and current teachers. Often these connections open up doors for student teaching opportunities which can lead to full-time employment following graduation.

Above all, make sure you listen to those you meet instead of pushing your own agenda.

Take in more business cards than you give out and you’ll build contacts that will help you grow in your new profession.

Have faith in yourself

Changing careers can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also exciting. This is your chance to do what you’ve always wanted to do so don’t listen to those who tell you that you can’t do it.

Have faith in yourself, your research, your education and your decision and you won’t regret your decision for a single moment once you’re finally in the career you’ve always wanted.