When it comes to setting goals, money trumps family. When asked what areas people set goals in, financial goals come out on top:

• Financial (72 percent)
• Family (62 percent)
• Fitness (57 percent)
• Work (55 percent)
• Diet (54 percent)

When it comes to the self-discipline required to achieve goals, family and work trump money. When asked what areas people have the most self-discipline in, the responses were:

• Family (77 percent reporting 7 or higher on a 1-10 scale)
• Work (70 percent)
• Financial (55 percent)
• Diet (38 percent)
• Fitness (36 percent)

People need the most help with finance, fitness and diet. When asked what areas people feel they could use more self-discipline in, the responses were:

• Fitness/Diet (62 percent)
• Financial (47 percent)
• Work (20 percent)
• Family (18 percent)

In terms of specific financial goals, Americans have a strong desire for long-term protection. Top financial goals include:

• Maintaining a comfortable standard of living during retirement (78 percent reporting 7 or higher on a scale of 1-10)
• Not falling below your current standard of living (73 percent)
• Protecting your income in the event of a disability (60 percent)
• Protecting your family's standard of living in the event that the household breadwinner passes way unexpectedly (55 percent)
• Building a sizable investment portfolio (47 percent)
• Making a major purchase such a car, boat or furniture (30 percent)
• Financing your children's college education (29 percent)

The study also explored how some people successfully achieved goals. The No. 1 strategy that works is "setting small interim goals," with 67 percent reporting this as a key step to ensure a long-term goal is achieved. The two next most common strategies seemingly go hand-in-hand – "allowing yourself to make mistakes" (62 percent) while "holding yourself accountable" (60 percent).