It was about a face cream made from the venom of an Asian snake called the Temple Viper. Although, no snakes are harmed in the making of this beauty product - the venom used is synthetic.

The makers of this anti-ageing daily moisturiser claim that the synthesised viper venom contained in this beauty product "stuns" the skin, helping to keep it smooth. They say it gives "Botox-like results" without the needles. Apparently, another benefit is that users still retain facial movement and so can more freely express their emotions. Medical experts said that the cream would have to be used regularly to have an effect.

It retails at about $120 per pot. Yet at the store where it was launched it has been selling at the average rate of 50 pots per day making it the store's best-selling premium skincare product.

So what has this got to do with achieving your goals? Several things:

1. Many individuals are looking for a quick fix and are willing to pay top dollar for something that they think will give them the results they desire. They are looking for solutions that will require the minimum amount of effort and that's fine. We should all strive to work smart but as Colin Powell said:

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."

Unfortunately, many women have a stash of creams and lotions all which had big promises but after a few uses were discarded for the next new miracle concoction. Does this sound familiar?

2. Many of the women buying this anti-ageing cream are probably not doing some of the things that would naturally assist their longevity and appearance of youthfulness. Some may neglect their diet, fail to exercise on a regular basis, spend too little time outdoors or in some cases too much time.

Some will heavy drinkers and smokers and will fail to get adequate sleep on a regular basis. One day they look in the mirror and see that the effects of hard-living have caught up with them. They then spend a fortune in an attempt to re-capture what they've lost without giving their lifestyle the overhaul it needs.

Many individuals are working superficially to achieve their goals or are sabotaging their success in some way. Yet, they are frustrated that they are not achieving the level of success they desire.

3. There are many women who use expensive make-up, beauty creams, facelifts, and cosmetic procedures to try to compensate for their lack of self-esteem. These outward tactics can sometimes help but at times they can have disastrous consequences.

What is far more powerful is when you do the inner work to boost your self-esteem. This remains after you wipe off the make-up and step out of whatever clothes you are wearing and into your own skin.

As Kirsten Dunst so aptly expressed:

"The real secret to total gorgeousness is to believe in yourself, have self confidence, and try to be secure in your decisions and thoughts."

So, if you want to achieve your goals:

1. Be prepared to put the work in. However, work so that you maximise the returns for your efforts.

2. Ensure that the goals you set are holistic and cover every area of your life so that you live a harmonious life.

3. Invest in your personal growth, time-wise and financially. There are lots of excellent free resources available but there will come a time when, in order to achieve a new level of success, a financial investment will become necessary.

4. Work on maintaining your physical, mental and emotional well-being each and every day this will give you a strong foundation for the challenges that you will undoubtedly face.

5. Ensure you choose goals that you are passionate about and that are congruent with your values. The success you achieve will be insignificant otherwise and you will always feel as though you are going against the flow.

6. Build your self-confidence and self-esteem - these are critical to your success. As Gloria Steinem said:

"Self-esteem isn't everything; it's just that there's nothing without it."