SMART Goals

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. SMART goals are just goals set using this framework. Let's say your goal is to buy a car - while it is indeed a goal, it's a very general goal. When you say a car it can mean any car, from a Lada to a Rolls Royce, so it's important what specifically you mean. You need to think of how you will measure your success in achieving the goal, so success would be owning the model you wanted. Depending on your financial situation, you need to assess whether the model you want is achievable, meaning is it possible to plan on buying the model you want in your situation and if so, what are the steps you'll need to take in the plan. You must think about if it's relevant, or worthwhile, trying to get a car, so if you live in an area of good metro transport, it might not be as worth it as if you lived in more remote areas. Finally, you need to set a time for which you would like to achieve your goal, so perhaps buying a car after saving money for 1 year.

My SMART Goals

Short Term: Graduate HS

Specific - I want to graduate HS with a CTE endorsement I can show on my certificate

Measurable - I receive my diploma with the CTE endorsement clearly on it

Attainable - Complete any remaining WBL requirements

Relevant - CTE Diploma can help me get a job out of high school, so it's worthwhile

Timebound - By June of this year

Medium Term: Get a part-time job

Specific - I want to get a part-time job in the tech industry, not necessarily as a web designer but anything with coding

Measurable - I can officially say I'm employed and my duties include something related to programming

Attainable - Gain skills through job experience (internships) and education (college)

Relevant - Important to pay personal costs while pursuing education at the same time and job experience for a higher-level job

Timebound - 1 or 2 years from now

Long Term: Get a full-time job

Specific - I want to get a full-time job in the tech industry coding computer programs 

Measurable - I can officially say I'm employed and my pay mimics that of a full-time tech job

Attainable - Gain skills through job experience and education (college)

Relevant - Important to fund future acquisitions (like an automobile) and a life savings plan 

Timebound - 3 or 5 years from now