Skip to main content
Login to MyChart

Help us elevate and expand our care, make breakthroughs in biomedical science and improve community health and wellness.

Donate today

Search UVM Health

Healthwise

Setting Goals

Setting goals can help a lot when you're trying to make a healthy change.

  • Focus on small goals. This will help you reach larger goals over time. With smaller goals, you'll have success more often, which will help you stay with it.
  • Write down your goals. This will help you remember, and you'll have a clearer idea of what you want to achieve. Use a journal or notebook to record your goals. Hang up your plan where you will see it often as a reminder of what you're trying to do.
  • Make your goals specific. Specific goals help you measure your progress. For example, setting a goal to eat one extra serving of vegetables a day is better than a general goal to "eat more vegetables."
  • Focus on one goal at a time. By doing this, you're less likely to feel overwhelmed and then give up.
  • When you reach a goal, reward yourself. Celebrate your success, and then think about setting your next goal.

Credits

Current as of: July 1, 2025

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 2024-2026 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

844-UVM-HEALTH

Give to a Healthier Future

Help us elevate and expand our care, make breakthroughs in biomedical science and improve community health and wellness.

Healthier communities. Healthiest lives. Together.

University of Vermont Medical Center

111 Colchester Ave
Burlington, VT 05401

802-847-0000

Golisano Children's Hospital

111 Colchester Ave
Burlington, VT 05401

802-847-0000

Central Vermont Medical Center

130 Fisher Road
Berlin, VT 05602

802-371-4100

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

75 Beekman Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

518-561-2000

Elizabethtown Community Hospital

75 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932

518-873-6377

Alice Hyde Medical Center

133 Park Street
Malone, NY 12953

518-483-3000

Porter Medical Center

115 Porter Drive
Middlebury, VT 05753

802-388-4701

Home Health & Hospice

1110 Prim Road
Colchester, VT 05446

802-658-1900

© 2026 University of Vermont Health
Jump back to top