What are smart targets?

Specific​ - a target needs to be specific so that you know exactly what you are
aiming for and you can fully prepare for a specific target
Measureable​ - It's important to have measurable goals, so that you can track your
progress and stay motivated. Assessing progress helps you to stay focused, meet
your deadlines, and feel the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goals.
Achievable​ - a goal needs to be realistic and attainable to be successful. When you
set an achievable goal, you may be able to identify previously overlooked
opportunities or resources that can bring you closer to it.
Realistic​ - targets need to be realistic in order to be achieved. You have to think
appropriately when setting targets as you can't expect to be right at the top as you
will be disappointed with the results.
Time bound - ​set a reasonable time bound for your targets. Give yourself a deadline
to work towards to as this will make you work harder and not let you slack

My smart targets

My smart target for my career plan in terms of them being specific is how I already
know that my end goal and dream is to become a Mortgage Advisor. As well as this,
you could also say that another specific goal of mine is to work in a bank and get a
degree within Business Management. These two specific goals of mine definitely tie
into how I would like to become a Mortgage Advisor one day.

I have come up with a career plan that maps out the next five years of my life. This is
how my goals are measurable because I am making sure to give myself enough time
to complete my goals. For example, I plan on doing a degree in Business
Management and completing a placement within a Sandwich year while doing this.
This would take me 4 years to complete and so if everything goes to plan, I would be
able to do this within the time limit I have given myself because it is measurable.

I would definitely say that it is achievable because I know that I need 112 UCAS
points in order to secure a place on the course that I would like to study and if I reach
my target grade then I will definitely get 112 UCAS points and hopefully get onto the
course I want.

It is realistic because I know that people that have previously been in my position
have successfully secured a degree for themselves within the next 5 years of their
life so I know that it is definitely realistic for me to do it because people do it all the
time.

It is definitely timely because I have made sure that the time limits are accurate and
well thought out so that I am not having to rush things, or are giving things too much
time. For example, I haven’t given myself 5 years to complete my first year of
university, instead I have made sure that it is timely by ensuring that I’ve given
myself 5 years to complete a degree, my current BTEC’s and do a Sandwich year.

I feel as though I am quite certain that I want to be a Mortgage Advisor at the bank
and do a degree in Business Management so it wouldn’t really be that vital for me to
keep checking on the specific side of my target as I feel like I am certain that this is
what I want to do. However, I know that I should still check back in a few months to
ensure my thought process hasn’t changed.

I think I would need to check in on being measurable towards the end of every
academic year to make sure that I am completing all my work so that I don’t have to
resist anything. If I have to resist something, then I am not going to be doing very
well.

I need to make sure that I check every year if my plans are still achievable because if
I do something like take a gap year, then I might not be able to stay on track and be
where I want to be because essentially, I will be behind and delaying my 5 year plan.

I need to make sure that every few months I am checking if my plans are still
realistic. I need 112 UCAS to get onto the course that I want to get on and so every
few months I need to check what my UCAS is and if my grades are good enough so
that I know if it is even realistic for me to go to university.

I would need to be making sure that my plans are timely because I can’t be giving
myself way too much time to do something. For example, I can’t be giving myself 5
years to finish off my BTEC’s so I need to make sure every few weeks that I am not
giving myself too little or too less time.