Well guys, 2016 is officially drawing to a close... and if your 2016 was anything like mine, then you're probably thinking "It's about time!"

I don't mean to make it sound like this year was flat out awful for me; because it wasn't. There were definitely some positives included. However, let's just say 2016 could have gone a whole lot better.

Nonetheless, because this year wasn't everything that I had hoped for it to be, all it did was make me come to the conclusion that I need to have different outlooks on certain things in life in order to have a more positive outcome.

1. Please do NOT let your happiness depend on others

This is super cliche, but also super important. If you continue to dictate your emotions based on how another person may be acting towards you, then I promise you that you're just setting yourself up for constant melancholy. Why should you be letting someone else have that much power over you anyways? It's completely ridiculous to put someone on that type of pedestal. It's not like they're Barack Obama or anything, because then a pedestal would be understandable.

2. Don't keep those around that aren't treating you the way you deserve to be treated

The goal here for 2017 is positive energy. Anyone that isn't helping that ultimate goal needs be let go of ASAP. Easier said than done, I know, but you'll be happy you let them go in the long run. Even if you may not realize it right now.

3. HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE!

I know confidence is hard to achieve in some scenarios, but you know what? Just keep pointing out all the great things about yourself that will inevitably outweigh all of the "negatives" you see, which you need to try to stop focusing on anyways. You're only weighing yourself down by doing so.

4. Don't get discouraged

You got rejected from something once? Tough cookies. Get back out there and try again. EVERYBODY, and I mean EVERYBODY gets rejected in some shape or form eventually. Shoot, even Albert Einstein and Oprah Winfrey were rejected at some point. It's all apart of life. Let it motivate you to try harder and not to take no for an answer.

5. Realizing your worth

Enough said. This is another one where you can't let the actions of others determine what the state of your worth is. They are irrelevant in that matter. Anyone that makes you question your worth doesn't deserve to be in your life anyways.

6. Stay focused on the prize and WORK FOR IT

Whatever that certain prize may be for you. You want all 3.5 and 4.0s in your classes? Work for it. You want a toned body? Work for it. You want that really competitive internship during the summer? Work. For. It.

I am more than determined to make 2017 the best year of my life. I refuse to let another year go by where I can't say, "Wow, this was overall a really great year." I mean, I don't expect for it to be perfect, but I would at least like for it to be darn near close to as great as possible. And the first step in having a successful year starts with yourself. We got this, guys. If I can do it, you sure as heck can do it too. Cheers to a great new year!