Regardless of what stage of life you're in, a new year brings a fresh start. Whether that looks like new resolutions or going back to school for a new semester, a fresh start always brings bumps in the road to move past and challenges to overcome. If you're just heading back to school for a new semester that could look like the first class you miss this year after resolving not to miss anymore. It could be that first test you underestimate and fail because you didn't study enough. If you're resolving to lose weight and get in shape, that can look like you missing a day at the gym or deciding three mcdoubles are more appealing than that quinoa salad your new meal plan calls for or that sleeping in makes you feel better than waking up and running before class does. Whatever the goal you've set for yourself is, one thing that you can be sure of is that it won't be easy, and most likely you will stumble at times.

Don't get discouraged when you fail, changing your habits is tough. The key to remember is even if it is hard, it isn't impossible, and you can get where you want to go. There are a few things you can do to make success much more likely, such as:

• Writing down your goals and displaying them somewhere you’ll see them often
• Finding someone who can hold you accountable and keep you pursuing your goals
• Planning out the steps you will take to get to your goal
• Keeping a journal – encouraging yourself after victories and learning from mistakes
• Write down the benefits of achieving your goals to remind you why they’re important
• Finding a group of people that have the same goals as you to keep you encouraged (and even make some new friends in the process)

These are simple steps that will greatly increase your chance of success.

Before you finish reading this and get back to chasing your goals I want to leave you with some encouragement. Finding an accountability partner and a group of friends to encourage you is great, but it isn't enough if you don't take advantage of the accountability and encouragement that Jesus Christ gives us. From the first story in the Bible and all throughout it's pages it is evident that Christ gives us the ability to make choices and thus choose to overcome challenges. However, we won't get very far on our own power. Christ gives us the ability to accomplish more than we could ever hope to accomplish on our own. Here are a few verses I found that encourage me and keep me going, and I hope they can do the same for you.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (Isaiah 40:28-29)

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."(2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

I pray you are able to stay focused, stay faithful and achieve your goals. 2017 is a terrific opportunity to make great things happen, but its up to you. This new year will be what you make it. Now go make it great!