So you've been looking into Tefl and you're considering taking a qualification. Remember, Tefl can take you places most other careers can't, but simply gaining the qualification won't change your life. You need to be committed to your decision and be prepared for some major changes. Tefl can open up so many possibilities that it's useful to expand your planning to take in every aspect of the life it will lead you to.
What will your Celta or CertTesol certificate mean to you? Do you see it as your "ticket to ride" - a way of getting you a job that enables you to travel or relocate? Or is the teaching the most important part to you - you don't really care where you do it?

Are you moving away from something in your life (a stale relationship, an unchallenging job, an over-bearing family) and looking for an escape route? Or are you moving towards a new career as an English teacher, taking useful past experience along to help you? Or maybe a mixture of the two?

The important thing is that you need to know what is motivating you and be clear about what is important to you and how your new job as an English teacher will affect that. Those few weeks on the course can be tough and you need to be clear why you're there if you are to see it through.

However, you might feel that although you can't stop thinking about all the potential possibilities and pitfalls that Tefl will offer you, you need some real clarity about your motivations and expectations. One good way of focusing your mind is to externalise these myriad thoughts so that you can step back and look at them rationally.

Try this exercise: get a large piece of paper and write down all of your expectations, aspirations, hopes and dreams about your new life. Jot down everything you can think of in brainstorm-fashion - what experiences do you want as a result of Tefl or living abroad? Where do you want to live? Do you want to travel, relocate or stay where you are now? What about your work/life balance? How about money? Social life? What else is important to you? What will you be glad to leave behind?

Don't think too hard about it - just be honest with yourself. Remember that Tefl, whatever it represents to you, is your dream and your motivations will be different from everyone else's on your course. It may help you to spend a few minutes visualising yourself in a year or so when you're doing the job - how does it feel? Notice anything surprising? Write it down!

You might want to embellish your brainstorm with pictures - either your own drawings or cuttings from magazines or travel brochures. The object of this exercise is to crystallise all of your enthusiasm onto the paper and to make it as attractive as possible.

Of course, as you are doing this exercise, there will be questions or potential problems that occur to you about your new life - how much will I be paid? Is it difficult to find a Tefl job in Tuscany? Will I miss my friends too much? Acknowledge these and write them down in a similar way on another large sheet of paper. They are important and must be addressed early or they may come back to haunt you later.

You may find it useful to separate your problems and questions into two lists, 'practical' and 'emotional'. Practical questions will need research - speak to experienced Teflers, scan websites and contact experts such as CactusTefl to find your answers. Emotional issues are a little less easy to resolve - try brainstorming and recording your feelings, hire a life coach to walk a part of the journey with you, or talk to a trusted friend or family member (be aware though that family and friends may not always be impartial - after all, they don't want to lose you - so choose carefully!)

As new thoughts occur to you, go back to your lists and add to them. Keep these pieces of paper somewhere safe - stick them on your wall at home or at work maybe, or tuck them in your diary. Consult them daily, especially when the going gets tough or you feel your motivation flagging. Of course you can't plan every detail of your future life, but see this work you have done as drawing up the blueprints.

Constantly reminding yourself of your wishes and expectations now will help you make the right choices later on and will help you live the life you dreamed of when you first signed up for that course.

For more information on TEFL and TEFL courses, visit the Guardian's TEFL section at http://education.guardian.co.uk or visit http://www.cactustefl.com