I don’t know about you but 2016 tested my sanity. Unfathomable damn near unspeakable things happened in 2016. In spite of all the crazy, I’m strutting into 2017 grateful to have had adventures, obtained goals and grown a little closer to my destiny. 2017 will not be a year of “new me” or “leaving people in 2016.” I like who I am and anyone who’s not meant to be here was left in 2016 months ago. Instead I’m deeming 2017 the year of destiny, the year of leaning into one’s purpose. This is all veeeeerrry preachy but it’s taken me 3 years to realize the goals I set each year have always been completed at years end.

See back in 2013 I was two years out of college, still living at home with my parents and was at a job that wasn’t a career for me. So I put into the world that I’d get a new job that would jumpstart my career and an apartment. By the October 2014 I had a career-esque job working downtown Chicago and a new apartment off the lake. 2015 I made no plans and just lived. Nothing big happened, nothing I wanted took off and it was due to my inaction.  By 2016 I decided my job was no longer a happy place for me and  I should be living better. So I said I want a job I’m happy at and an apartment that reflects me. I put that energy out in the world and worked towards it. By October 2016 I’d obtained both goals!  It’s now not just my belief but my tradition to skip resolutions. Instead I set realistic goals for the new year and tirelessly work towards them. KEY PHRASE: Create realistic goals and tirelessly work towards them. I’m not saying you can’t do the impossible. My role model, Oprah, is the epitome of impossible made possible. I’m saying be realistic, think, plan, have a strategy. If you don’t plan, you plan to fail.

For 2017, I’m leaning into my purpose. For years  various people have been telling me I’m meant for something MORE. Dramatic right?!? But I’ve always felt that I have a greater purpose than myself. So I’m walking into it and being brave because I know it’ll be scary and tough. I learned last year, everything we do requires work, dedication and discipline. Whether you want to lose weight, travel more or save for a new purse, you must buckle down and really work towards those goals. Check in with yourself in May & again in August to ensure you’re still working towards those goals.

Fenique