Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM) Practice Exam

The first step in creating a SMART goal is to define it specifically. This involves outlining exactly what you want to achieve in clear and precise terms. Specificity helps to focus efforts and resources towards a well-defined outcome, making it easier to identify the necessary steps and gauge progress. A specific goal concretely describes the objective, including who is involved, what is to be accomplished, where it is to happen, and sometimes why it is important. This foundational step sets the stage for the other components of SMART—Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Without a well-defined goal, the subsequent steps, such as determining the timeline or assessing current strengths, may lose direction or become less meaningful because they lack a clear target.