If you wake up some mornings wanting to give up on your dreams. You're not alone. There are probably  some days that it seems too hard or that you're not making any real progress. Maybe you feel too old, too young, too overweight, too shy or that you have other obstacles that will keep you from being as successful as other people.  You have to be vigilant in your efforts and take the good with the bad.

Here are four tips for staying on track:

1. Stop complaining- Don't give in to the urge to bemoan every setback or hiccup. Embrace the challenges and mistakes. Learn from them so that your next attempt is better. Complaints are problems that you want someone else to solve because you feel like a victim. Stop creating problems and start devising solutions that will help put you closer to your goal so that you can be victorious!

2. Stop criticizing- Complaints and criticism usually go hand and hand.  We are our own worst critics. Focus on all the amazing things about yourself and when you look in the mirror empower yourself by saying, "I am capable of greatness!" People who feel empowered usually go on to empower and inspire others instead of inviting negativity.

3. Stop comparing- There is only ONE you. Period. There is only ONE Beyoncé. One Oprah. One Random Sally Doe who has 110,000 followers on Instagram. And on and on. It's one thing to allow these people to inspire you to be YOUR best but emulating them or comparing your journey to theirs is a surefire way to destroy your own self worth. What makes YOU special? Focus all your energy on being the best version of yourself. When you're happy with yourself and love yourself unconditionally, you become unstoppable!

4.  Stay consistent- It's not what you do once and a while that makes the difference it's what you do ALL THE TIME.  Establish solid routines and block out the noise and distractions. You can't expect instant results when you've only been working at something for a few days.  It will take longer than a few days, possibly more than a few weeks or months. You have to ask yourself the following questions: Am I willing to WORK for it? Am I willing to WAIT for it? And if your answer is yes to both questions, then keep plugging along and before you know it- those consistent small steps with get you to your destination.

One month has passed since the New Year started and many people have already gotten off track from the goals they set for the year.  It's hard to change old habits and let go of our comfort zone especially if you've lost the motivation to make changes.

Here are three tips for staying motivated to reach your goals:

1.  Adjust as you go- Sometimes you have to change your approach to reaching your goal. If what you've been doing is no longer working tweak the process.  Change your exercise times, use a new social media tool, break the goal down into smaller goals, change the completion date, etc. Think outside the box and find ways to stay excited about reaching the goal. 

2. Find an accountability partner- Find someone to hold you accountable. Someone who will hold your feet to fire and make sure you do what you say you're going to do. You can do the same for them. When someone is counting on you to make something happen you try harder because you don't want to let them down and you end up not letting yourself down either.

3. Reward yourself- When you complete a task or hit a milestone, reward yourself. Plan a larger reward or celebration for the completion of the goal but celebrate with small goodies along the way. A cupcake, a pedicure, a new tablet case, etc. ​ Don't wait until the goal is met. Celebrate along the way to give you incentive to keep going. 

I had a different college experience than most...I didn't get my bachelors degree until I was 42. 

I earned an associate degree in Human Resources in my 20's but didn't finish my bachelor's degree until 2012. 

I attended the University Houston's Clear Lake campus and it was a great experience. . .for me. I was already working (over 13 years in benefit administration at the Corporate level), married and had two kids- so flexibility was a priority!

I was able to take online and night courses for three years before finally graduating in May 2012 with a degree in Communication. I think after working and having life experiences for the past 20+ years made me a much better student.  Of course I wish I would have finished my degree after I graduated high school but I believe everything happens for a reason and on the timetable that it's meant to happen. The key is to remain patient and be ready when your time comes!  It's NEVER too late! 

GO HAWKS!

If you're looking for someone to make your dreams come true- just look in the mirror. You are equipped with every thing you need to live the life you want. You may need to align yourself with people who have the resources to get you to the next level, but YOU have to believe that you possess the know how to make things happen.  However the thing that keeps many of us from reaching that next level or living out our dreams is self doubt. We don't think we're smart enough, talented enough or capable to really pull it off. So we sit back and wait for someone to notice us or give us permission to be successful.

I challenge you today to be bold in your pursuits and don't seek permission, look in the mirror and say, "I am capable. I am strong. I can do anything I set my mind to!" And BELIEVE this with every fiber of your being! Then take a deep breath, square your shoulders and GO FOR IT!

My husband was running a marathon (number 17, I think) and he brought home some of the thundersticks that you use to make noise and cheer on the runners. 

Well, one of them was missing the tube you use to blow it up. My 5 year old daughter suggested he use a drinking straw to blow it up.  He promptly told her that it wouldn't work because it was too thin. Her response was quite profound:

My husband chuckled and told her to go and get a drinking straw. And guess what? It worked! Kids say the darndest things but they are often a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I've kept her words in the back of my mind every time I face a challenge. Whenever I want to give up because it seems impossible,  I remember my daughter's words and at least try before throwing in the towel. Because as the old saying goes. . .nothing beats a failure but a try!