In the pursuit of better health and wellness, setting goals is a crucial first step. Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, improve your fitness, or adopt healthier habits, articulating your objectives is essential for clarity and motivation. But did you know that there’s a simple yet powerful technique that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your health goals? It’s as straightforward as tracking your goal, whether on paper or a digital platform.
Keeping track of your health goals isn’t just a matter of jotting down a few bullet points—it’s a deliberate and transformative practice that can yield numerous benefits for your well-being.
“This new lifestyle is easier than I thought.”
Marshall, a Branch Office Administrator, with a history of GERD, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension enrolled in Condition Management coaching after being newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He didn’t know where to start or what to focus on first but knew that he needed to make changes. Marshall worked alongside his health coach to set realistic goals to support his overall wellbeing vision, of being healthy at 45, and he tracked his progress on the Personify Health platform.
Goal 1: Start monitoring blood sugar and the effect diet and activity have on it.
Goal 2: Wearing CPAP machine every night.
Goal 3: Bring lunch to work on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday each week.
Goal 4: Walk my German Shepherd daily after dinner.
After working with his health coach for 10 months, Marshall’s blood sugar is averaging 114, his A1C is down 1.2 points, and he’s lost 64lbs.
Tips: Tracking your health goals can make a real difference:
- Articulating your health goals forces you to clarify your intentions and define precisely what you are trying to achieve. Having a clear vision for what you want to achieve makes it easier to stay on track and prioritize actions that align with your objectives.
- Documenting your health goals is a tangible commitment to yourself. It’s a declaration of your intentions and a pledge to take concrete steps towards better health. By externalizing your goals, you hold yourself accountable and increase your sense of responsibility for following through on your plans.
- The act of documenting your health goals can be a powerful form of visualization. As you put your aspirations into words, you’re effectively programming your mind to focus on achieving them. This process of mental rehearsal can help you internalize your goals, making them feel more attainable and increasing your confidence in your ability to succeed.
- Beyond merely stating your goals, articulating them allows you to track your progress over time. By recording milestones, achievements, and setbacks, you gain valuable insights into your health journey and can make informed adjustments to your approach as needed. This reflective practice fosters self-awareness and empowers you to make continuous improvements.
- The act of writing or digitally tracking, can be therapeutic, providing an outlet for expressing emotions and processing thoughts. By articulating your health goals, you may feel a sense of relief and clarity, alleviating stress and anxiety associated with uncertainty or indecision. This can contribute to a greater sense of well-being and resilience in the face of challenges.
Although writing down or tracking your goals digitally can be transformative, vocalizing them will take it to the next level. Sharing your written health goals with others—whether it’s friends, family, or a healthcare professional—can facilitate open and meaningful conversations about your health journey. It allows you to articulate your needs, seek support, and enlist the help of others in achieving your goals. Additionally, verbalizing your goals can reinforce your commitment and strengthen your social support network.
Articulating your health goals is a simple yet potent practice with far-reaching benefits for your well-being. By clarifying your intentions, committing to action, and fostering motivation, accountability, and self-awareness, this practice can empower you to take control of your health journey and unlock your full potential. So, grab a pen and paper or a digital device and start documenting your aspirations—it may just be the catalyst you need to transform your health and live your best life.
Explore today how a Health Coach can help personalize your experience to meet your specific needs and drive success through using the Personify Health platform.
Learn More
Attending Thrive Summit in-person? Learn more by scheduling a Coaching Session for when you’re in Atlanta.
- Download the Attendee Mobile app to your smartphone
- Search for Thrive Summit 2024
- Log in using the Email and Password you used to register for Thrive Summit (Don’t remember your login? Reset your password)
- Go to the app’s Dashboard page, then locate and select Coaching Sessions
- On the Coaching Sessions page, you’ll have the option to select either:
- Condition Management Coaching Session with Chelauna Cosby, DHSc, MPH
- Lifestyle Management Coaching Session with Monica Jansen
- Select the session type, date, and time that works for you and your schedule
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and press Submit
Note: This will take a few minutes to appear on your My Agenda page within the app
About the Authors
Monica Jansen is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with 8 years of experience. As the Strategic Manager of Coaching Services at Personify Health, Monica oversees our Lifestyle Management health coach teams and services. As a coach, she has a knack for helping people uncomplicate their health intentions. Monica allows her passion for behavior change shine while partnering with members to create attainable, healthy habits that stick. By working with Monica, you’ll discover how you can connect to your “why” during each small step of your unique health journey and have some fun along the way.
Chelauna Cosby, DHSc, MPH is a Board-Certified Health Coach and a Senior Strategic Manager of Coaching Services at Personify Health, the industry’s first personalized health platform company. With 15 years of experience in both coaching and digital health technologies and 8 years as a CDC Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach, Chelauna specializes in leveraging cutting-edge platforms to facilitate personalized wellness journeys. Her holistic approach integrates behavioral science, technology, and coaching methodologies to support members in achieving sustainable health outcomes. Chelauna is passionate about empowering individuals to optimize their well-being through innovative digital solutions and is committed to driving positive change and fostering resilience in the digital age.