How to Use SMART Goals to Succeed in Web Development

Create a roadmap for your successful career in tech

If you are looking to start your career path to becoming a web developer or if you are looking to continue to improve on the technical skills you already have, knowing where to go and having a plan on how to get there is essential.

We are all told to set and reach for goals throughout our lives, but setting a vague goal without an action plan is not going to set you up for success.

Do you know what will have you actually setting and achieving goals you are proud of?

Setting SMART Goals.

Ok, that’s great and all but, what are SMART Goals?

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

It is a method for setting personal goals that are clear, actionable, and attainable.

The idea behind SMART goals is to set targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, so that you can stay focused and motivated as you work towards them.

By setting goals that meet these criteria, you can create a roadmap for success and increase your chances of achieving your desired outcomes.

Here's a breakdown of each element of the SMART acronym:

• Specific: Your goal should be clear and well-defined. It should be specific enough to give you a clear direction and focus, but not so specific that it becomes inflexible or unrealistic.
• Measurable: Your goal should be measurable so that you can track your progress and know when you've achieved it. This could involve setting specific targets, such as number of sales or revenue, or tracking specific behaviors or actions.
• Achievable: Your goal should be achievable, given your resources, skills, and circumstances. It should be challenging, but not impossible, and it should be something that you can realistically work towards.
• Relevant: Your goal should be relevant to your overall objectives and aligned with your values and priorities. It should be something that you are truly committed to achieving, and that will have a meaningful impact on your life or career.
• Time-Bound: Your goal should have a specific deadline or time frame, so that you have a sense of urgency and can work towards it effectively. This could be a specific date, such as the end of the quarter or the end of the year, or it could be a longer time frame, such as one or two years.

6 SMART Goal setting tips

Now that you understand the concept, how do you set a SMART Goal?

1. Identify your goal. Start by thinking about what you want to achieve. Do you want to become a proficient web developer, or do you have a specific skill or technology that you want to master? Why is it important to you?
2. Make it specific. Once you have a general idea of your goal, start to narrow it down and make it more specific. For example, instead of simply wanting to "become a web developer," set a goal to "become proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript within the next three months." This gives you a clear direction and focus.
3. Make it measurable. Next, think about how you will measure your progress towards your goal. For example, you could set a specific target, such as completing Nucamp’s HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Fundamentals Bootcamp within the next three months, or you could track your progress through specific behaviors or actions, such as spending a certain amount of time coding each week.
4. Make it achievable. Consider whether your goal is realistic and achievable, given your resources and circumstances. Do you have the time and resources available to achieve your goal within the specified time frame? Is it something that you can reasonably work towards, or is it too ambitious or unrealistic?
5. Make it relevant. Think about how your goal fits into your overall objectives and priorities. Is becoming proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript something that you are truly committed to achieving, and that will have a meaningful impact on your career as a web developer?
6. Make it time-bound. Set a specific deadline or time frame for achieving your goal. For example, you could set a goal to "become proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript within the next three months." This gives you a sense of urgency and helps to keep you motivated as you work towards your goal.

Creating a plan for yourself is especially important when your personal goals may be challenging at times.

When writing effective goals, you may be excited and ready to take on every hurdle that comes your way.

But on days when you're feeling less productive, having SMART goals to lean back on will give you perspective and motivation to push through.