Rome wasn't built in a day and chances are you're not going to wake up as your dream self. Being your best self takes work. It's a full time job with good days and bad days and no paid vacation. If you look at the full picture and how much growing there is to go, it can be a little daunting. Taking things step by step, day by day, will make it seem a lot more doable. There is so much advice out there for you and the beauty is you can pick and choose what works best for you. Its important to want to grow and better ourselves and be happy because we only get one life.

1. Dress to Impress—Yourself!

Beyond wearing what makes you feel good and stays true to who you are, stop trying to impress everyone else! Wear what makes you happy. Do what makes you happy! Take some time just for you. Your future self will thank you.

2. Smile!

It's been scientifically proven that the more you smile the happier you'll be. So when you're being weighed down by negativity, slapping on a smile is your best defense!

3. Hang out with the Cool Crowd

You know...the ones who love you, accept you, support you, and hold you accountable. Whether it be friends or family, find the people that you can be real with 100% and who challenge you to be better. Then do the same thing for them right back.

4. Show Gratitude

Being thankful for the people and blessings in your life can not only do wonders for your overall happiness, but showing your appreciation will selfishly make you feel good too.

5. Meditate

This kind of goes hand in hand with being grateful. Meditation doesn't have to mean scented oils or doing yoga. Meditation can be whatever you want it to be. Journaling, sitting in silence for 10 minutes, going for a walk, or even taking a relaxing bath. Meditation really is just taking a moment to contemplate and refocus—to slow down and reevaluate.

6. Forgive

Free your heart from hatred! Grudges are heavy and hinder our happiness. While forgiving doesn't mean forgetting, it means accepting the past and that people make mistakes. We can't let other people's mistake hold us back from happiness and fulfillment.

7. Give up Perfection!

MISTAKES ARE OKAY!! They make you stronger and wiser. Learn from them. List your strengths, accept your limitations, and celebrate your accomplishments.

8. Get Offline and Go Outside

On social media it's so easy to compare yourself with others. You are unique and special and nobody else can be you! Getting outside and breathing in the fresh will boost your mood, help you live in the moment, and appreciate the little things.

9. Catch Some Zs

The amount of sleep you get correlates with your overall daily satisfaction, productivity, and happiness. Sleep is often pushed aside and under-prioritized but it is a basic need. Challenge yourself to get that extra hour!

10. Set Realistic Goals

Don't set yourself up for failure by creating unattainable goals for yourself like loosing ten pounds in two weeks, or cramming for three tests in one day. Start with making a list of the top three things you want to accomplish for the day and give yourself the satisfaction of crossing each of them off. Go to the gym? Check. Study for an hour? Check. Present at meeting? Check.