Bill Keefe, Founder HighSchoolBlues.com

Remember this truth first and always: You are stronger and more capable than you think!

Regardless of what weaknesses you have demonstrated to yourself or others in the past, your physical and mental abilities are remarkable. Simply put, failure to demonstrate your abilities, does not mean that they don't exist, but rather that you have chosen not to use or to develop them.

Learning to develop physical prowess, mental agility or strong character necessary for achievement is really quite simple and founded in principles you are already aware of.

Your body, its muscles and its organs strengthen when used and atrophy when unused. This is a simple truth we all understand. Spend the day in bed and you will not arise strengthened and re-energized but groggy and apathetic. This "use it or lose it" component to being human must be understood and managed. Gradual increases in physical activity will strengthen the body, providing clear and recognizable benefits to those willing to push beyond what is comfortable.

If you can walk, you can walk for exercise. As you walk begin to add short spurts of jogging into your route. A little each time will strengthen your breathing and soon your previous walking route will need to be expanded. Add an additional challenge like running up a hill. It may be difficult at first and cause more discomfort than walking, but if you stick to it, many benefits will result. Your strengthened state will begin to reveal itself in other activities such as walking up stairs, carrying groceries and with an increased energy level you will be capable of so much more.

Keep in mind that many people find the most difficult aspect of exercise putting their sneakers on. This of course is quite silly as the act of putting sneakers on is not too hard. Still it becomes an action step that many find impossible to take. It is these same principles that apply to developing your mental capabilities. Personal strength requires a willingness to push beyond what is easy.

Just as lying on the couch contributes to atrophy, failing to break through mental barriers contributes to a "dumbing down". Failure to use your mind in creative and challenging ways will contribute to your mental decay.

These same principles apply to strong character which is the foundation for all achievement. You see, just as the body needs to be maintained or it will weaken so do all of your mental faculties. If you consistently take the path of least resistance and fail to embrace challenges, you will weaken your inner strength which is responsible for developing and demonstrating courage. Courage leads to constant initiative which establishes the persistence necessary to overcome adversity. Without courage there is little chance of success.