SMART Targets

What are SMART Targets?

SMART Targets are a way of going into depth and detail on what is
necessary for you to achieve your target. It helps you understand
whether or not your targets are realistic and if you can achieve them.
SMART Targets give you a guide and template on the steps you need to
take to achieve your goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Realistic and Time bound. When wanting to achieve a goal/s
it is important to keep these words in mind.

My SMART Targets -

In my career plan I set myself goals to achieve over the next 5 years to
be able to get where I want to be. I have said what I have done and what
I need to do to achieve my goals but I will go into more depth and detail
now ensuring that my goals have got SMART Targets in place to help
me achieve them.

YEAR 1 -

“At the moment I am in my 2nd year of college and of my level 3

business course. This year I have 9 units to complete as I did in year 1. I
want to get distinctions in all my units this year so that overall I get
D*D*D* so that I can apply for a good Business Management course at
University. I have to write up my personal statement and apply for
university and also make sure that I complete all my assignments to the
best standard. I will start placement as well and from that I hope to gain
new skills and experience that I can use in my life.”

My target covers all of the SMART criteria. My target is specific as it

states clearly that I want to achieve distinction in my 9 remaining units to
get my target grade of D*D*D*. My target is also measurable due to the
fact that I can measure the progress I am making by checking the
tracker and I can look at the assignment feedback sheets to see what I
have achieved on the assignment. My target is also achievable due to
the fact that if my college tutors believe that I can achieve it then I just
need to ensure that I put in the effort and hard work to get the grade that
I need and want. My target is realistic due to the fact that many people
before me have got 9 distinctions and as long as I put in the time and
effort I will be able to achieve the goal. My target is also time bound due
to the fact that I have put it into my 5 year career plan and this is only for
the first year of the plan.

Year 2 -

“I will be in the 1st year of my university course. I want to study business

management to become a real estate agent and hopefully start my own
agency. In my first year I hope to gain understanding and knowledge of
my course and to do the best that I can on my assignments so that I get
the best grades possible. Alongside being at university I also want to get
a job somewhere so that it is increasing my experience.”

My target covers the SMART criteria. My target is specific as it states

that I want to study business management and gain understanding and
knowledge of the course so that on my assignments I am able to get the
best grade possible. My target grade is also measurable due to the fact
that everytime I receive my assignment back after getting a grade on it, it
will show whether I am slowly achieving my goal by understanding the
assignment well. My target is realistic due to the fact that if I make it to
each lecture on time as I should then I will be able to understand the
different topics in business management and also gain experience from
my tutors. My target is time bound due to the fact that it will only last until
I finish University. I will need to make sure that within that time frame I
am able to gain understanding and knowledge of my course in order to
graduate.

Year 3 -

“I will be in the 2nd year of my university course. In the 2nd year I will
know the fundamental things about university and I'll have more
understanding about business management. I aim to get good grades
and to carry on into year 3.”
My target covers the SMART criteria. My target is specific due to the fact
that I have stated that in my 2nd year of University I will know the
fundamental things and I will have a broader understanding of my
course. My target is measurable as I will be able to see whether I am
achieving it or not by taking a look at the trackers to see the grades I
have been given on my assignments. My target is achievable, but it is all
down to me whether I am able to achieve it or not. I need to ensure that I
am fully focused in my studies and I use my knowledge in my everyday
life and most importantly in my assignments so that I am able to get the
best grades I can. My target is realistic due to the fact that it is upto me
on whether it is achieved, I need to ensure that I use my knowledge in
my work to make sure that it is sponged into my head. My target is time
bound due to the fact that it will last throughout my time at University.

Year 4 -

“In this year I will graduate. In my third and final year I will be doing work
placement and working with employers to gain in depth knowledge of
business management and gain real life experience. I will have to solve
real life problems in the business. I will also have to conduct a research
project.”

My target covers the SMART criteria. My target is specific due to the fact
that it states that I will be gaining work experience and working closely
with employers to understand how business management works and to
get real life experience. I will also have to solve real life problems in the
business so I understand how it will be like when I start my own
business. My target is measurable, as I will write down what I have learnt
from being at work experience and use this when I work on my
assignments. My target is achievable due to the fact that if I work hard
and use the knowledge and experience I get from working with
employers I will be able to gain more understanding of the course and
real life experiences. My target is realistic due to the fact that if I do my
work experience and work with employers closely I will have good
understanding and knowledge of the key attributes needed when
working at a real estate agency. My target is time bound as it will only
last from when I start my work placemet to when I finish it.
Year 5 -

“After I have graduated I will find a certificate course program to get

training. I will then try and get myself a job in a real estate agency and
gain experience. I will work with the agency for a few years until I am
stable enough to start my own agency.”

My target covers the SMART criteria. My target is specific as it states

that I will have to complete a certificate course program to get training
and then get a job in real estate until I feel stable enough to start my own
agency. My target is measurable due to the fact that I will have gained a
certificate once I have completed the course and that will show that I
have the knowledge to undertake the job role. My target is achievable if I
ensure that after I finish University and get my degree, that I practise and
use my skills and knowledge learnt from my degree and put that into the
program that I will do. My target is realistic due to the fact that onceI
complete the program then I will be able to work at a real estate agency
and the knowledge and experience I gain from there I can use when
starting up my own agency. My target is time bound due to the fact that
once I have completed the program and got the job then I’ll have to work
for 3 or 4 years before starting my own agency.