I’m sure you’ve heard it many times before: new year, new me.

Queue the eye-rolling and the yawn-induced sighs.

How many times do we have to listen to our family, friends and colleagues promise more trips to the gym, extol the virtues of fad diets, and swear off boozy cocktails? Sure, resolutions are great, but the older I get the more I struggle to understand why our self-convictions only matter for one fleeting moment.

Why do we feel the need to compile our shortcomings into a bullet point list and then set about eradicating them as soon as the clock strikes midnight and the fireworks go off?

Last year, I had a pivotal moment of self-realization: it turns out that my level of complacency rises as each year passes, inevitably causing my focus to steer from the need to reinvent my life.

Though I’ve never been one to create a list of resolutions – for the new year or any time, for that matter – this year I plan to hold steadfast to one life-changing plan: consider myself a work in progress and work on the things that continue to inhibit and allude me.

My year-over-year life-altering to-do list, in no particular order:

• Be goal-oriented when it comes to career.

It’s easy to become distracted by (and embroiled in) the busy world around us, which is why we should look up from the screen occasionally to make sure we’re on the right career track. If, professionally, you’ve achieved your personal best, great. For those of us who are still climbing the ladder, there’s much to do in order to get and stay on track: head back to school, for example, or finally ask for that well-deserved promotion/raise/corner office with the killer view. Bottom line? Set career goals and continue to reach for them.

• Retirement is (always) around the corner.

Frightening to think about, isn’t it? Any financial advisor will tell you that it’s always a good idea to stay on top of your savings and that translates into regularly reviewing your retirement savings accounts to see where you could save more/spend less. Avoid financial complacency and stay proactive: connect with your financial advisor throughout the year, not just for an annual discussion.

• Be selfish.

Yes, dear – sometimes it really is about you. Think about all those times you put the needs of others ahead of yours, whether it be a partner, kids, or even your boss. Rejoice – now it’s your time. Set your own pace and unapologetically trot along at a speed that suits you. After all, you spend so much time catering to those around you: meeting deadlines, running to appointments… It’s never been a better time to turn the tables.

Perfection will always remain an elusive unicorn, but the key is to get off of our complacents behinds and take control (and not just for one brief moment).

Let every hair flip be fabulous.

XOXO

Le Snobbery

original photo by ryan mcguire // manipulation by le snobbery