I’m doing the A to Z Challenge in April using the theme “What to Pack on Your Creative Journey.” Today, we’ll add Determination to our metaphorical suitcase.

In mighty enterprises, it is enough to have had the determination. ~Sextus Properitus, Elegies II (c. 24 BCE)

What if when you go to pack Courage for your creative journey, there is none to be found?

Determination is often in more ready supply for creative travelers.

Start by asking yourself: What do I really want?

Let the answers be realistic, barely possible, and completely outrageous. Open your mind with some options that are pure fantasy. Personally, I want a house elf, only without the exploitation part. That would free up some creative time!

When I have a list of possibilities, I sort through to see which ones might work well in my life. At this moment, what suits my interests, schedule, and resources?

Once I’m clear on what I want, determination starts to creep in, like a cat sneaking into a suitcase.

Desire got me started on this journey to write 26 posts about creativity so I could participate in the A to Z blog challenge. Determination jumped in with ideas for how to schedule the writing and the willingness to sit down and do it.

If my desire is to draw a birthday card for my sister-in-law, determination reminds me that I’ve done this before (you can do this!) and offers suggestions of places to look for inspiring designs.

What do you want? Can you summon a little determination to get you a step closer to that goal?