S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Goals are most efficient when they are S.M.A.R.T.—that is, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. I must know exactly what I want to achieve, to what extent I want to achieve it, how I will achieve it, why I want to achieve it, and when I must achieve it by. The following are three S.M.A.R.T. goals I have created for myself each in different categories:

1. Long-term goal: Within ten years from today (11-16-2024) I will climb at least one of the Seven Summits of the world. The Seven Summits are the tallest mountain peaks on each of the seven continents. In order of shortest to tallest, they are Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Mt. Elbrus in Europe, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt. McKinley in North America, Aconcagua in South America, and Mt. Everest in Asia.

• Specific: I will summit (make it to the top) at least one of these peaks.
• Measurable: I will know when I've achieved this goal, I'm sure.
• Attainable: Continuing with the exercise and diet regimen I have adopted today, I will be in the right shape to climb and descend an 16K+ foot mountain. I am a decent long distance runner and rock climber and I will have years more of training before attempting to summit one of the Seven. I must also meet the financial requirements of this goal within ten years, so I will necessarily work hard through college and find a high-paying job potentially in the computing field.
• Relevant: One of my over-arching goals is to have a healthy lifestyle and do what makes me happy—which is taking risks, going on adventures, and facing physical challenges. I am an endurance athlete and summitting one of the tallest peaks in the world seems to me the ultimate challenge. I won't rest till everything I can do is done.
• Time-bound: This should be done by ten years from today (11-16-2024).

2. Short-term goal: From now to when I leave for college I will save at least $4000.

• Specific: I will save at least $4000. 
• Measurable: I will have $4000 more in the bank.
• Attainable: I work two (very) part-time jobs and I currently make around $700 a month. In nine months, I should have made 9 x $700 = $6300 minus any breaks I take and minus what I spend. I will limit my spending on myself, which I am currently pretty good about.
• Relevant: Again, one of my over-arching goals is to have a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately I need money to maintain this kind of lifestyle. While $4000 may not be enough to, say, fly to Africa and climb Kilimanjaro, it is enough to buy healthy food and sustain a climbing gym membership while in college.
• Time-bound: This should be done by August 2015.

3. iQuest goal: By the end of the 2014-15 school year, I will build my wi-fi reptile thermostat.

• Specific: I will build my wi-fi reptile thermostat.
• Measurable: When I'm done, I will have a fancy thermostat to show off to the class.
• Attainable: I have an Arduino hardware kit and I am using Arduino's online IDE (integrated development environment) to program the circuit board. I believe with a bit of practice and learning I can get this thermostat built. I will probably need to order more hardware components online.
• Relevant: This project relates to my intended computer science major and my desire to work with smart technology as well as with reptiles.
• Time-bound: The thermostat should be perfected before I leave for college, but ideally, it should be roughly done by June 2014 so I can share it with iQuest.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading!