My Grandmother was always encouraging me to set goals and work hard to achieve them. She would tell me not to be a follower and not to set limits on what I could achieve. She truly believed that there were no limits that you could achieve whatever you wanted. 

She once told me the following story about a radish and a milk bottle, it was a story that I have never forgotten. 

A Farmer's Lesson In Life 

A farmer won a first prize at the country fair for his huge radish that was the exact shape and size of a quart of milk bottle. Many were curious as to how the farmer was able to grow this radish that was the exact shape of a milk bottle. 

Finally one gentleman went up to the farmer and asked the question. The farmer replied, "It was easy. I got the seed growing and then I put it into the milk bottle. It had nowhere else to go." 

You can use this story as an analogy to life - our lives are shaped by the kind of surroundings we place ourselves in, the people that we allow to influence us, and the goals we give ourselves. 

These Are Key Ingredients 

If we only dream and take no action then we get no further. But if we plan, set a goal and take action then our life takes a different shape. 

Now, the important parts of goal setting, though, go way beyond just writing down a goal statement and thinking that somehow your goal will be reached. 

To write a goal is only a minor part of the way forward. The rest of the elements of how to reach that goal must also be stated clearly and with a definite time frame to each step. 

This means that you must develop a detailed plan of action where each action step is detailed on what you must do, when and how and how much time it will take. If you do not make your plan detailed in this way and set specific target dates for completion, you will simply not be creating any kind of expectation in your mind or urgency that helps keep you moving. 

but what about The Bumps Along The Path . . . .

The Bumps Along The Path 

Sometimes, even when you are following your action plan, you will run into a snag. Snags are not uncommon and you should realize this before you even get started. 

These snags, though, should be viewed only as little inconveniences; these inconveniences are meant for you to resolve and move forward again. 

These little problems are those that most people cannot overcome because they simply quit using the excuse that their goal was never meant to be. 

Show that you are different; show that you have the dedication and resolve to keep going and you will demonstrate to yourself and everyone around you that you are really dedicated to accomplishing that which you have set out in your goal statement. 

Do Not Go It Alone 

The fact that you know that there will always be minor roadblocks; it is also wise to solicit the guidance and help of a mentor. 

This mentor is a person who has a positive attitude, is very skilled at always looking and finding solutions to issues and problems, and my also be someone who has experienced similar issues along their way to accomplishing their own goals. 

I cannot stress finding the right mentor or mentors enough. 

Goals and actions can help us accomplish more in a year than what some people will accomplish in a lifetime. 

To prove this point read the biographies of successful people and you will see that goals and actions did in fact play a big role in their success. 

In summary, don't put yourself in a bottle; in other words move out of what is comfortable and secure if you want to move forward.