As we get older and enter different stages of life, our personal obligations and responsibilities tend to take up more of our time. As a wife, student, employee, and caretaker of an older woman, some days seem incredibly overwhelming and daunting. By applying a specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound (SMART) process to my day, it becomes much more doable. But what about long-term goals that will affect your future? By using the SMART goal system, you can make your dreams a reality one small step at a time. The first step to achieving a long-term goal is to understand the SMART goal process. Simply using the words specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound can be a bit confusing. After a bit of research, I was able to better define the method. Using a SMART Goal worksheet provided by Tatt (2012), I was able to understand the definition of each word in the acronym. In other words, specific stands for the who, what, where, why, and when of the objective. Measurability is explained by asking how much, how often, and how many. Attainable asks if the goal is achievable. Relevant is defined as it applies to your ultimate vision. Finally, the time limit is a time limit set for completing the specific objective. Furthermore, there is a section dedicated to intention or, in other words, long-term goal (Tatt, 2012). By filling out this worksheet I was able to first state my intention and then break it down further into smaller specific goals that would ultimately lead to the final image. By choosing just one specific goal at a time and achieving that success, it becomes much easier to complete your overall dream. The last piece, in my opinion, of... half the paper... n that you want, taking an overall goal and breaking it down into smaller specific goals allows you to create a defined map that will further your progress, one small step at a time, until your dreams have been achieved. Works Cited Cohen, S. (2013, January). Student Health 101 @ Ashford University. Retrieved April 1, 2014, from http://readsh101.com/ashfordu.html?id=ec8bd17dMossler, R. A. (2013). 8.4 Motivation and job satisfaction. In adult development and learning. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPSY202.13.1/sections/sec8.4Oslance: Keep goals written down, handy. (2009, April 2). Business Journal (Crystal Lake, IL). Tatt, J. (2012, February). http://www.yourva.co.nz/toolbox/templates-for-small-business/. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from http://php5.mydns.net.nz/yourva.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Smart-Goal-Worksheet2.pdf