SMART Targets

What is a SMART target?

A SMART target is a target which is much more specific about what the target is.
SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. Using
these helps you not generalize your goals. I will now be talking about what each one
means. Specific means you turn the goal into something you need so it will be much
more specific and useful to you. The next one is measurable. You need to measure
whatever it is your goal is about and identify when the end goal has to be reached.
Achievable is to do with the fact if you think you can achieve the goal without
stressing yourself so you don’t reach it or making it too easy and not pushing
yourself. You need to make sure it is just right for you to achieve. Next is realistic.
Being realistic means not being too ambitious to a point here it is not realistic or
achievable. You need to make sure it is something that is real and will work. The last
one is time bound. This is all about deadlines and when the goal will need to be
achieved by. So make sure you complete it on time.

My Targets:
My first target on my 5 year plan is finding relevant work experience that will help me
in my future career. This target is specific because it tells you exactly what I want to
do. It is measurable because it shows what I want from it. It is achievable because I
can do my research, go around to shops or companies and ask if they have any
placements available. It is realistic because there are companies out there willing to
give young people experience in a field they want to work in. However the target
needs to be time bound so I would add to this target that I want to make sure I have
found work experience before the January half term finishes.

The next target is to get all my college work upto distinction level. The target is
specific because it clearly says that I want all my coursework to be at a distinction
level. It is measurable because it shows the result that I want which is distinctions all
the way through my coursework. It is achievable because I know I am capable of
putting the effort and time into getting the grades. It is realistic because my previous
work has been upto distinction standard. But it needs to be time bound. To this I
would add ‘ I would like to get all my coursework upto distinction level by the end of
the college year.’

Another target of mine is to submit my University applications. This target is specific

because I have said what I want to do. It is measurable because I will know once it
has been achieved which will be when my applications get accepted. It is realistic
because it is a goal that the majority of young people will have to enable them to
study further. But it needs to be time bound so to this target I will add that it needs to
be achieved by the 15th of January which is the cut off date for the applications.
The next target is to complete the first year of university. I think this is a smart target
because it shows you what I want to do. I know it will be achieved once I have
completed the first year , it is achievable because if I do all the work required and
hand it in on time I will complete the first year, it is realistic because majority of
people do get through their first year of university and it is time bound because it is
the first year of university.

The next target is to do some volunteering in the field I am going to be working in.
This is specific because it tells you what I want to do. It is measurable because I will
know when I have achieved this when I secure myself a placement or volunteering
space. It is achievable because I can go and talk to companies and shops that are
linked to the field I want to work in to see if they allow people to volunteer. It is
realistic because most companies do allow people to volunteer and gain experience
because it is free. However it needs to be time bound. To this I would add before the
end of the first year of university I should have done some volunteering to gain the
experience and skills.

Another target of mine is to complete all the assignments and projects for the first
year in detail and hand them in on time. This target overall is smart. This is because
it clearly states what it is I want to do. It also shows when it needs to be done by the
end of the year. It also shows that it is achievable and realistic because I will have
previous experience with handing in assignments on time from college.

Another one is to start looking at companies who have the role of my future career.
This target is specific because it says what I want to do which is research
companies. It is achievable and realistic because I will do my research and then go
and approach the companies. It is measurable because I will know that this has been
achieved when I get a list of companies who may be my future employers. However
it needs to be time bound so to this target I would add that I want to achieve this
before the end of my first year of university.

The next target is to complete year 2 of university. This target is smart because it
tells you the time bound which is the 2nd year of university, it tells you what it is that I
want to achieve which is to complete year 2 of university. It is achievable and
realistic because if I can get through year 1 then I will be able to use the same
strategies and skills from year 1 in year 2 and get through it. It is measurable
because I will when this has been achieved when I have completed year 2 of
university.

My next target is to use that year to do my placement and start searching for suitable
placements that involve what I am studying. These targets are smart. This is
because they are specific on what I want to do for that year. It is achievable and
realistic if I do my research and land myself the right placement needed for me. It is
measurable because once I have got the placement I know I will have achieved it.
However it needs to be time bound so I would add to this that I need to find the
placement before November.

Another target is to complete my last year of university and graduate. It is smart

because it is specific on what I want to achieve. It is achievable and realistic because
I would have completed my previous years and I wouldn’t give up near to the end. It
is measurable because I know I will have achieved this when I have my degree. It is
also time bound because it says that I need to finish my last year of university.

The last target is for me to get my dream job. This is specific because it shows what I
want to do. It is achievable and realistic because after my degree I will need to try
and get into employment. It is measurable because once I have got my dream job I
will know that I have achieved this goal. However it needs to be time bound so to this
I will add that I want to be in employment within 6 months of getting my degree.

Bibliography:
● SMART Target meaning
https://www.professionalacademy.com/blogs-and-advice/what-are-smart-objectives-
and-how-do-i-apply-them