"If you don't know where you're going, how do you expect to get there?"

A goal can be defined as a target or something to strive for and action plans can help you to achieve your goals. Whether you consciously know it or not, you are continuously setting goals that determine how you act and how you spend your time.. It can also give you a sense of purpose, direction or meaning.

Benefits of Goal Setting:
Many benefits come from taking the time to consciously develop career and personal goals and goal setting can:

* Assist you to focus on what you want in your life;
* Assist you to establish priorities;
* Improve your self image and build your confidence;
* Provide direction that assist you in making decisions
* Encourage awareness of your strengths;
* Give you motivation -- a "motive for action".

A career goal can assist you in focusing on what you want in life. To be reachable, a career goal must be realistic, specific and meaningful to you. The more you understand yourself, your values, interests, strengths and needs, the easier it is to set achievable goals. It is also very important to consider the job market and labour trends when making choices.

"Set goals beyond your grasp, but within your reach."

Some tried and tested guidelines for effective goal setting are outlined below. When developing your goals, ask yourself the questions below.

Desirable?

* Is this goal something I really want, not something I should or have to do?
* Is this MY goal, not what someone else expectation of me?
* Will I feel good after achieving my goal?

Conceivable?

* Can I see myself reaching this goal?
* Do I see many "roadblocks" along the way?
* Have I thought about the steps involved in reaching my goal?

Believable?

* Is my goal a firm decision? Am I committed to seeing it through?
* Does my goal make sense?
* Do I believe that I can reach this goal?

Achievable?

* Is my goal realistic for who I am? My abilities? My values?
* Can I accomplish this goal given my strengths and resources?
* Is my goal set too high? Or too low?