It is the start of school season. Where students are stretched and pulled in so many different directions they feel as though they will break. With school, work, obligations, family, bills and whatever else, it is tiring. It is okay to be tired. But it is NOT okay to give up.

Times like this feel as though nothing is going your way and your to do list is never done. You want to give up and crawl into bed where you are safe. No matter what it is that is causing you stress and making you so tired you just feel like you can't I am telling you that YOU CAN! While driving home today I was thinking of upcoming events in my calendar and what I have to do to prep for them. I was driving over a bridge and looking at the river and sunset, it made me realize how big the world is and how many other people there are who must be going through exactly what I am and more. If others can do it, SO CAN YOU! If you want to be successful then do it, take obstacles day by day and be the best you can be. Make it to where you are proud and have no regrets. Excuse is not in a successful person's dictionary. This world is big and beautiful and full of opportunity, you were put here to do something great, so DO IT. We all get tired and stressed but what makes you different from someone else is the way you let that effect you. God does not give you what you cannot handle.

It is very easy to sit and loath on cards you have been dealt, but it gets you nowhere. Boohoo you're stressed. EVERY successful person experiences stress. Think about what you want to accomplish. Whatever it is, figure out how to get there and no matter how hard, do not give up. Life is so short. Every day people are taken from this world, so LIVE. Live in the moment, laugh and love. Be the best you, because there is only ONE YOU. Stretch yourself beyond what you think you can, I promise you won't break.

In life we sometimes need someone to say stop feeling sorry for yourself and get to work. That is what I'm telling myself and you.

Here is what I find encourages me and makes me feel the best me that I can when I feel like I can't anymore.

1. Turn in your assignments early this week if you can.

Dedicate the first hour you are home to studying and doing schoolwork. You have nothing to do? Then read ahead. I promise this will make you feel more on top of things and less stressed. It will also give you more free time later.

2. Pray more throughout the day.

Even in the car just say a quick prayer. Make an effort to THANK GOD instead of ASKING GOD this week. Focus on YOU being a SERVANT not you being SERVED. Also, I find listening to christian music just puts me into a better mood. If you are not religious why not try praying anyway? Theres nothing to lose in praying only something you can gain.

3. Spend more time with your loved ones this week.

Tell them you love them and thank them for everything they have done for you.

4. Have YOU time.

Go to the gym, spa, go to sleep or just lay in bed watching Netflix. Make sure you make time for you or you'll get burnt out. It is all about Balance.

5. Wake up one hour before you start getting ready.

I love to sleep! I am not a morning person but recently I have been setting my alarm one hour before I need to start getting ready and watching the news while I drink my coffee. It has been wonderful, I am not sleepy during class and makeup looks better because I am not half asleep trying to do my eyebrows. LOL

6. Wake up and compliment yourself.

If you need to look in that mirror and give yourself the best pep talk you can come up with. Pump yourself up for the day. Anything is possible.

I challenge you to do this everyday for one week. Let the best week of your life begin...NOW...