Anyone that has any hopes of being successful in their career has to have goals. Goals are what make everything in life achievable. Without goals, we wouldn't get very far in life. Most major companies provide training and seminars on setting goals and rewards generally go to the employees that meet these goals first. Setting goals is important but setting SMART goals is imperative. Let's learn a little more about what SMART goals are and how you can set and meet them in your life. SMART stands for:

• SPECIFIC
• MEASURABLE
• ACHIEVABLE
• REALISTIC and
• TIME phased

By following the criteria of SMART goals, you can not only set goals for yourself but set goals that you can achieve, ensuring yourself a bright and successful future.

SPECIFIC

When you set goals, they need to be specific. If you're not specific with your goal, you'll be more likely to put off starting on it. For instance, saying you're going be a successful businessman is vague. Saying you're going to earn your degree in business within two years is a goal. If you're unsure if your goals sound specific, write them on paper and have a friend or associate read them and see if they can relay back to you exactly what your goal is.

MEASURABLE

It's very important that all your goals are measurable because this is the only way they can be achieved. Examples of how you can make  your goal from above measurable is by keeping track of each semester that's completed in your education while you try to earn your degree. Write these milestones down in a notebook and mark them off as they are completed.  If, for instance, your specific goal is to make $50K by the year 2015, each promotion and increase in pay should be marked down as attained.

ACHIEVABLE

Before you can hope to reach your goals, they need to be goals that are achievable as well as realistic. If they're not, you're only setting yourself up for failure. Do NOT set up goals for yourself that you are not going to be able to attain. If your goal is to lose weight, setting a goal to lose 25 pounds in 6 months is more achievable and realistic than losing 100 pounds in 6 months.

REALISTIC

Your goal must be as realistic as it is achievable. No one likes admitting failure but that's exactly what you'll be doing if you set goals that you either cannot afford or are simply unable to meet.
TIME phased

Saying that you will get a raise within the next ten years or that you'll lose weight "someday" is not a goal that is time phased. In order to be a SMART goal and an attainable goal, you need to set a time frame of when it has to be completed. While it's important that you set a time frame, make sure the time is realistic and achievable.  As you can see, in order to meet your SMART goals for your career, all factors must be acknowledged and in place.