Regroup. Rethink. Renew

Hello, butterflies! We're nearly a week into a new year. How are you feeling? Now that you've gotten over your hangover, it's time to get rid of your hangups. What's really keeping you from achieving your goals? Is it fear and uncertainty that's been plaguing your happiness? What about those naysayers that are constantly reminding you of your failures? I think you've been listening to the wrong voices for way too long. You think you're stuck and there's nowhere to go. Come on, baby. It's a brand new day. Let's throw all the ugliness out the door and start things off fresh.

Changing your outlook isn't easy. We all get stuck in a rut. This is when you regroup. Let's say close to the end of 2013 you were still sending out emails to modeling or commercial agencies trying to get representation. No luck. But you've been following all the rules from the agency's website about submissions, or so you thought. Shabby Polaroids in a generic email aren't going to get you what you want. Rethink your plan. When you're applying for a job, you don't just want to drop off your resume. You want to meet with a manager. You want that face to face time so that you can make an impression. Agencies don't just want to see a pretty person with great cheekbones. They wan't to see your personality. It's hard for that to shine through in a handful of bad photos. So stop hiding and let agents really see you.

Refresh and renew. Reignite that passion you once had when you first started this dream journey. I can sense that a fire's still burning inside you. Don't let it go out. Take control and let it spread. Go stand in the mirror. Look closely at who you are. Now grab a piece of paper or open a memo on your cell and write down exactly what you want out of your career and your life. Fall back in love with those lofty ideas. You can get there if you keep pushing. There's more to you than your hair color, eye color, height, bust, waist, hips and shoe size. No more half-stepping. Just leaps and bounds. Get back out there and reintroduce yourself as who you really are. You ready?!

(Re)Discovery

Another day. Another year. Thank God we've made it! I'm sure by now some of us have already broken those New Year's resolutions to lose weight, eat healthy, and not spend so much money on clothes. I totally feel your pain. But maybe the reason those resolutions don't last too long is because they aren't realistic. You may genuinely want to do better for yourself, but you're going about it all wrong.

When making resolutions, many of us are a bit delusional. You can say that you're going to be the next Joan Smalls or Karlie Kloss. But if you're only 5'2 and already in your 30s, your chances are a little slim. The problem is that we set high standards for ourselves that we may never be able to achieve. Don't believe me, then let's look at the numbers.

• 45% of Americans make New Year's resolutions.
• 75% maintain resolutions through the first week
• 24% fail at their resolution each year
• 8% of people are successful in achieving resolutions

Ouch! Those stats are enough to make anyone throw in the towel. If you've already given up, then it's time for a brand new play book. First, you may need to get reacquainted with yourself. Think about who you are at this very moment. Then consider what drives you to get up and go everyday. Are you just going through the motions or are you passionate about what you do? Next...what's the difference between the real you and the aspirational you? Finally, what will it take for you to be the person you want to be?

Throughout this whole process you need to be completely honest with yourself. Don't stretch the truth. Also, try not to get overwhelmed. I've learned to set smaller goals instead of big lofty ones, because I know that I have a tendency to freak out when I've got too much on my plate. Also it's super important to have an awesome set of friends who encourage you every step of the way. No one wants a negative Nancy in their crew. Last but not least, believe in yourself. It's not just about hoping you can do it, it's about knowing that you are doing it. Speak your dreams into existence.

Now that we've had this little pep talk... are you ready? What life goals are you working on this year?