Children dream of great but improbable futures. Some want to be a national leader, a movie star or a great sportsman. When children grow into adults, most learn there's a difference between the dreams of childhood and realistic goals.A well-defined goal is realistic and achievable. An achievable goal is a tool to help you reach your destination. There are several benefits to defining achievable goals.In some science fiction novels and movies, the future of work is bleak. Work in the future is often portrayed as dull, repetitive, and dehumanizing.Opportunities for change, challenge, and growth make work and life more interesting and fulfilling. When writers and moviemakers want to depict a dreary future, they describe a future without these opportunities.Why do people so often fail to keep their New Year's resolutions? Many times it's because they've set goals for themselves that can't be achieved.Achievable goals have two required components: an objective component and a standards component. A third optional component--a conditions component--may also be included to support the required components.There's more to setting a goal than simply choosing a destination you want to reach. Setting goals requires strategic thinking to help you anticipate obstacles and collaboration with people who can help you overcome those obstacles.When you practice strategic thinking as you set goals, you gain several important benefits.A majority of your work-related goals require participation from others in your organization. Strategic thinking helps you identify people who can help you achieve your goals so you can gain their cooperation.The purpose of setting a goal is to gain a reward. However, striving for a goal means you must also accept the risk of failure.Setting any work-related goal requires an investment of time and effort. If you attain your goal, your investment results in success. However, there's always a risk you'll fail to achieve a goal and your time and effort will be lost.The amount of risk in a goal correlates to the time and effort required to achieve it. Low-risk goals usually require a small amount of investment of time and effort. High-risk goals often require a large investment of time and effort.Some goals may seem too hard to achieve on your own.When you need help to achieve a goal, that's a good time to find a partner with whom you can collaborate.