How many of these statements would you agree with?

If you wake up in the morning and your bangs look weird, your day is ruined.

A B- plus or A-minus on an exam in one of your better subjects is upsetting.

It doesn't pay to try out for the school play because chances are, they'll never pick you.

Sometimes your to do list is so long, it wakes you up in the middle of the night.

If you worked a bit harder in school instead of going out with your friends, your grades would be better.

The movies and the mall are rewards for after your schoolwork is done.

You're the first person to show up for basketball practice most of the time.

You have lots to accomplish before you can feel successful.It's embarrassing to talk about your achievements...they're really no big deal.

If you agree with more than five of these statements, read on! There's nothing wrong with setting high standards for yourself. Most successful people do... but if unless you're an all around superstar..the most devoted daughter, most generous friend, best student, top athlete, and excellent musician...with awesome social skills, the coolest boots and a beautiful complexion, you fall short of your expectations, then you're dooming yourself to be disappointed. Setting up unrealistic goals and unattainable finish lines can make life (which is tough enough at the best of times!) a ridiculously hard ordeal. For all who are trying to be the best at everything all the time, here are some phrases to embroider on your pillow

Stop harping on past mistakes. The day you wore two different shoes, the stupid thing you wrote in that hot guy's yearbook, the basket you missed in last year's basketball finals...file them away in the experience file. If the memories of when you failed minorly haunt you, you're wasting your time. Use the moment as the topic of next semester's humorous personal essay or take from it how not to make the same error again. Move on.

It's really hard to be you. The competition today on every level is much more intense than ever before. No wonder you're scared of losing your edge. Your mother never had it so rough. Give yourself credit for your successes. You're handling keeping all those balls in the air beautifully. Very few can do as well.

Define what's good enough. What is thin enough, popular enough, smart enough or strong enough? Only you know that for yourself, not your parents or your friends. Think about what's most important to you... what area success is most meaningful, and prioritize your time. Then back off in other areas. Balance is key.

See yourself through your grandma's eyes. Take pride not only in your successes, but in the hard work you put into your life. Appreciate the effort, not just the results. Make a list of your accomplishments. Look around and count up all the people in your world who admire the person you are. Include the friends who think you're funny, the aunt who remembers your kindness, the teacher who was impressed with your test mark, the coach who remarked on your focus etc.

Being perfect is bad for you. Overdoing it can take a destructive toll. Aside from being exhausting, it leads to headaches, stomachaches, breakouts, fatigue, and recurrent colds. Not to mention a variety of symptoms attributed to the anxiety that accompanies fear of failing. There is a huge distance between perfection and failing. That's where 99.99% of the world lives. Join us.

Try being spontaneous. We're sure spur of the moment is not your style but give it a whirl. Free time, free of to-do lists and schedules, is as enlightening for your heart and soul as studying is for your brain. And lots more fun.

Get off the moving train. If you're worried that no matter how hard you try, it's not good enough...if you realize you can no longer live up to all your crazy expectations, take a deep breath and ask for help. Drop your least favorite activity. Use the time to daydream, to be creative, to be grateful for the wonderful ingredients that make you you.