Goals and objectives are a critical element of any business strategy -- they provide a way to focus your efforts and evaluate success. Your business goals will influence the decisions you make and the actions you take in nearly every aspect of your business, and as such, they should be determined with care and in enough detail that they are effective.

One method to goal creation that ensures your goals will work for your business is the five-step SMART goal plan. By applying each piece -- Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based -- to each business goal, you can ensure that these goals will not only fit your business but promote its success.

1. Specific

Detail is the first key when it comes to defining goals for your business. Each goal that you set needs to be very clearly defined, enough that you will know without question what you are trying to accomplish. Specific goals also have the added benefit of bringing added focus to your work as your share with others in your business. As a heart-based entrepreneur, specific goals will bring professionalism to your business as well as direction.

2. Measurable

While the individuals you work with, rather than the numbers, are most likely your focus in your business, numbers are a necessity for effective business goal setting. Numbers go further than other details in ensuring that your goals are measurable. This measurability of your goals ensures that you can answer the question of whether or not you successfully accomplished your goal. It also provides further incentive to put your best efforts towards your goals and adds to thrill of success when you meet them.

3. Attainable

Especially when starting out, it can be easy to gravitate toward very ambitious goals for your business. But when these unrealistic goals are not met, it can be incredibly discouraging to the point where you may question continuing on in your pursuits. This is the reason it is so important to create business goals that are attainable. While goals that are too easy provide little incentive to work hard, goals that are manageable with a bit of stretching are a perfect fit to provide motivation and encourage growth.

4. Relevant

Your goals should fit within your business model rather than sit outside it. If your reason for what you do is to help others improve their lives, your goals should be centered around that purpose. Business goals that are based on your values and purpose as an entrepreneur will not only make more sense for how you work but will also help you stay true to those values.

5. Time-Bound

Time is the final step in creating a business goal that will be both motivating and effective. Every goal that you create for your business should have a set deadline for when it should be accomplished. Depending on how you structure your business, these deadlines may be monthly, quarterly or yearly -- or even a combination of time periods. The main point is that each goal has an end date.

After creating your SMART goals, it's important to realize that these goals are not set in stone. Changes in your life, your business and your customer base can all influence your business and your business goals. To remain effective, your SMART goals should be evaluated on a regular basis and adapted as needed.