This time of year people are all about starting fresh. They make plans for their lives. Resolutions. Goals. 

They rehash old dreams, conjure up new ones. 

Hope for the future seems to appear out of nowhere. 

All the mantra's get posted and paraded:

This year we will live a healthy lifestyle, this year we will achieve the grades we want, 

this year we will travel, we will meet that creative goal.

Everything lost in the old year has been born again in the new.

Then real life happens. 

The adrenaline-like effect of New Year wears off, and motivation becomes that mysterious character who lingers in the back of your mind as a nice idea. The school work you planned to crack on with with a new vigour has become a mountain of boredom that you don't want to think about. Money is tight in January, so you can't afford to buy those healthy meals, or pay for gym membership, and then it just doesn't happen. And so on, and so forth....

There is this saying: Without doubt, there is no faith.

Well, without determination, you don't have a realistic goal.

What is a goal or resolution? It's a challenge to reach further, to aim higher, to go beyond what you have achieved before. 

And to follow through with that,  what do you need? 

Answer: Determination

Determination is KEY in being successful in reaching your goals. It is an attitude that you have to nurture, until it becomes part of you. It is the characteristic that will take you from being a goal setter to a goal achiever. In fact, goal setting and determination should go hand in hand, paired from the beginning, the perfect combo.

So, how do you nurture determination in your life?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Be thankful for what you already have.

Setting goals should not come from a place of greed, but rather, from a place of hope.

Step back, look at what you have already received and achieved, what you have already been able to do.

Take some joy in what you have accomplished in the past. 

Be assured by remembering what God has already enabled in your life.

2. Trust God to guide you.

Having support is invaluable when you are aiming to achieve something.

If you have people who are there for you and in your corner, you are #blessed.

Unfortunately, there are times when people let you down -- it's inevitable.

That's why before you go to people, go to God.

God will give you vision and fuel your determination in a way that nobody else can.

His limitless love for you will settle your spirit and always remind you how valuable and precious you are.

In every situation, whether you are at full steam ahead or on a downer (which happens), He will be there.

With every dream and aspiration, go to Him. Sometimes, what we want and what He wants for us are two different things. 

One thing is for sure, what He wants for us is what we were created to do, and when we agree to do what we are created

to do, determination is never far away.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. - Psalm 28:7

3. Find someone to be accountable to.

Once you've got things sorted with God, find someone who you trust to share your goal with.

This could be a relative, teacher, mentor, or friend.

Being accountable to someone will help you to meet your goals.

Why?

Because you are human. There are times when you will want to give up.

Having someone there who is invested in your life and wants to see you develop will not only encourage you,

it will also give you a person who will motivate you when you don't have the motivation within yourself.

Remember, it is a privilege to have someone to be accountable to. Don't take this lightly.

Listen to them, accept their encouragement -- and their criticism -- and be thankful for the time they give to you.

4. Give yourself a break

If you are on the verge of giving up, take heart: Rome wasn't built in a day.

In any project you have, remind yourself that it takes time to become a master of something. 

If you're tired or frustrated, don't give up on your goals; just have a break. 

Spend some time seeking God, go for a walk, take a nap. Being burned out never helped anyone.

You are ALLOWED to rest. In fact, God encourages it.

In conclusion:

Nurture your determination by being thankful, trusting in God's guidance, having accountability, and giving yourself a break when you need it.

Then, with that determination, OWN those 2020 goals and resolutions!

Comment below on what you do to grow determination in your own life.