Every new year finds people across the world pledging to achieve more but the aims of South African midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane in 2010 are simple - cement his place in the Bafana Bafana side.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane wants to get into the South Africa team
In November, the 27-year-old Kaizer Chiefs star earned widespread plaudits after impressing in the two home friendlies against Japan and Jamaica.
He is now determined to get into South Africa's squad for the 2010 World Cup on home soil.
More importantly, the central midfielder - popularly known as 'Yeye' - added much-needed attacking impetus to a side that was overly defensive under former coach Joel Santana.
And even though both matches ended goalless, Letsholonyane's bustling style impressed both the public and those involved with Bafana Bafana.
"Yeye's a great player and you could see that he fitted into the team straight away and that he will do well," ex-South Africa captain Lucas Radebe told BBC Sport.
"We have Macbeth Sibaya sitting in central midfield but if Yeye can reinforce it, and better still take charge, it would be great.
"He just needs more experience, which means more games."
In fact, much of the optimism underpinning Letsholonyane's displays is that despite his age, his international career is in its infancy.
"Playing against Japan and Jamaica gave me a feeling that was out of this world," Letsholonyane told BBC Sport.
"And it was good for me because it enhanced my chance of playing in the World Cup.
"It's important to take your chance because opportunities don't come every time - and with everyone wanting to play in the World Cup, if you get your chance you have to use it."
The central midfielder, who joined Chiefs last year from rivals Jomo Cosmos, certainly did that against Jamaica, linking up play as he took the game to the Caribbean side.
Normally, regular starter Sibaya is partnered by Kagiso Dikgacoi yet the Fulham man tends to be cautious in possession and offer little attacking threat.
Obviously playing a World Cup is the highest level in football and it would be a dream come true to make the squad
Reneilwe Letsholonyane
"Yeye's a player who can defend, make the team play and he's got an eye for goal as well," South Africa winger Siphiwe Tshabalala told BBC Sport.
In fact, Letsholonyane had spells playing as a centre-back and as a centre forward when younger, so aiding his box-to-box runs.
After a slow start, the Kaizer Chiefs fans have taken him to their heart, especially since the combative midfielder is often the one to kick-start the team into life.
In 2009, he's added goals to his bustling displays - netting five in the league so far this season - as third-placed Chiefs chase an unlikely title.
"Yeye is in good form, good shape, and he's one of the best players at the moment in South Africa," says Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic.
Should Letsholonyane maintain his impressive form, as well as his good displays for Bafana Bafana, he could be one of those players to squeeze into a World Cup squad from nowhere.
And he already has the focus coach Carlos Alberto Parreira would be looking for as the World Cup hosts prepare to meet Group A rivals Mexico, Uruguay and France.
"It would be nice to share a pitch with players like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Patrice Evra but it will be even nicer if we beat the French to make the next round," he says.
"Obviously playing a World Cup is the highest level in football and it would be a dream come true to make the squad."
All the more so because this year's showpiece event opens with South Africa playing Mexico on 11 June at Soccer City, just a few miles from Letsholonyane's birthplace in Soweto.
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