What is an essential characteristic of SMART goals?

An essential characteristic of SMART goals is that they are specific and time-bound. The SMART framework is designed to help individuals and organizations create clear and actionable goals. The term "SMART" stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Being specific means clearly defining what the goal is, which eliminates ambiguity and helps everyone involved understand exactly what is intended. For instance, instead of saying "I want to improve my sales," a specific goal would be "I want to increase my sales by 20% in the next quarter."

The time-bound aspect ensures that there is a deadline for achieving the goal, creating a sense of urgency and helping to maintain focus. This element encourages individuals and teams to stay on track and prioritize their efforts effectively, ultimately leading to higher chances of success.

Focusing on specific and time-bound goals helps to align efforts, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes in a structured manner. This characteristic is critical in effective goal setting, making option C the correct choice.