Quick - did you ever make New Year's Resolutions? Did most of your goals come true? If not, you're not alone.

If you've ever planned to quit smoking, lose weight, make more money, be a better person...you may have failed because you didn't know the rules.

If you want this year to be different, you must know the secrets to goal success. Here are some rules to get you started:

1. Clear, timed, defined goals

You need to write down your goals on paper, have a date when you know you'll reach the goal and the goal should point to your larger life vision. Build a contingency plan into your goals so that if you don't receive your goals exactly on time or exactly as you planned, you allow for it.

Find out how 10 key secrets can save you time, money and your sanity during this busy time of year

You're in business, you're busy - maybe a little overwhelmed. Throw in a big measuring of Christmas, a dash of nasty business habits, time wasters, bad budgets and you have a recipe for disaster. Find out how 10 key secrets can save you time, money and your sanity during this busy time of year. Heck, you might even enjoy Christmas this year. Try this:

1. Nix Bad Personal Habits

Unwanted habits detract from life enjoyment. This includes: abusing our bodies, ignoring family and friends, working too hard. We need to have enough awareness to overcome these habits that cut into both personal and work time. This means less sugary treats, getting more sleep, watching the work hours and so forth.

In the memorable words of Dr. Seuss, "Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you."

These are words to work by, words to live by as well, words that are a focusing mantra for inspired and effective business leadership.

When the pressure is on, when you're being asked to deliver results with fewer resources, do more with less, and lead a team or company to new heights, maintaining the commitment and engagement of your team in stretching times, the temptation is sometimes to forget about who you are, forget about what it means to be you at your best, and just immerse yourself in work until you're drained, if not exhausted.

Transitioning to a mindset of Thinking BIG will require a SHIFT in the way you look at life!

As each moment passes we see a changing and challenging world - one that is becoming more complicated and unpredictable. Each day we are faced with decisions about environmental pollution, technology shifts, financial instability, family instability, unsatisfying relationships and other phenomena.

Thinking BIG even during, especially during, such circumstances allows you to make better long term decisions which will impact generations to come!

Transitioning to a mindset of Thinking BIG will require a SHIFT in the way you look at life!