I began this post thinking to upload my favorite looks. I thought, let’s make this post quick and easy. Pop open my bottle of Prosecco, grab a few pictures here and there and call it a day. Then, I remembered how badly I want to make 2017 my bitch and maybe just a bit more of a productive year than the rest.

I would’ve sworn 2016 was my most successful since I graduated from college (with not one but TWO degrees)  and got myself a big girl job. Nonetheless, right after graduation I became my worst self and slacked off as much as I possibly could.

So now I am skimming through my list of New Year resolutions, jotting down a few tips, and remembering everything that did (and didn’t) work for me last year so you can follow along with me to become the most productive you this year.

This is me graduating. I think the fist really shows how productive I’m supposed to be. And yes, that IS a dinosaur on my cap.

Start the day by 5 am

Which also means going to bed earlier; I read somewhere that the most productive people begin their day at 5 am. I am completely up for this except for the fact that the only time I’ve gotten up that early is to get to the airport or when I’m running to the bathroom from a night of drinking too much. So, 6 am is my goal from this moment forward.

Keep a worry journal

I feel like overthinking is a terrible habit most of us have to deal with and cutting down on it has (and will) continue make my days as productive as possible. I’ve written another post on this topic before right here

Have an Agenda and Stick to it

Every year I buy an agenda and each December I flip through all the pages and see only about a few weeks of the year that have actually something written down on it. Hopefully this will change. Having an agenda will keep you from doing all your work at once which is never a good idea because you’ll probably become too overwhelmed and quit all together. Hence, the agenda or get yourself an app.

SMART Goals

If it worked through almost all of my college career, it’ll work now. Make goals that you know you can meet and that will drive you to the finish line. SMART means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. You can read more of it here and I’ll be sharing my personal and work goals on another post soon.

Fuel on Activity

Theres no better to make 2017 your year than kicking its ass. Don’t begin the year forcing you to live by a strict diet. You could try a detox this year but getting a bit more exercise (if you don’t already) should definitely be a top priority. I seem to forget how important it is for your health and your mind and the amount of energy you can get from even just 30 minutes of  daily exercise. I recently began running 30 minutes once a day and that alone gives me the boost I need to keep at it the rest of the day.

Make Time To Get Inspired

During your morning commute, while you’re lying in bed, or if you have some time to spare, listen to a podcast, read a book, or read blogs that will teach and inspire you. These are the podcasts I’ll be trying to listen to more often: Marketing Over Coffee, Almost 30, Freakonomics, and Girl Boss.

Choose To Be Happy

Don’t let the little things get to you. I promise that if you put in the effort to actually be happy from the moment you wake up to the minute you fall asleep, the tougher days begin to feel a bit easier to get through. I can get a little emotional for insignificant incidents that I later begin to forget why I was upset to begin with. Not too long ago I stopped getting angry with traffic and terrible drivers and I’ve quickly noticed I don’t jump at the first opportunity I get to tell the world how angry I am. And, most importantly, I don’t take it out on my mother, sister or boyfriend for having a terrible day.

Stop Binging and Start Reading

I am the queen of binge watching. I’ve watched every episode of how  I met your mother at least 4 times and the entire office collection twice in one year. So I’m just going to put it out there but fuck Netflix (right after the new season of Master of None is out of course). Pick up a book that you actually want to read. And no, not the one that you’ve tried to read 100 times but you can never get past the first chapter. My friend Nina has an amazing blog with a ton of book suggestions and reviews if you can’t decide.

Let Go of the Past

Let go of all the negativity, the fights, and the terrible news from last year. If you think you shouldn’t try again just because you didn’t meet your goals last year, you’re wrong. I can’t stress enough how morbid you can get from not doing something you love because you didn’t get it the first time and someone told you to just give up. Let go of the past and that asshole who told you not to go for it.

Happy New Year to all of my readers! Anyone have any advice from 2016 that they plan to continue doing more of?