Happy New Year everyone!
This is the time most of us make (and break) our new resolutions. But instead of focusing on the second lets try to make better resolutions in the first place. When it comes to diabetes and self-management there is truly a lot you could take control of. So before you start trying to manage command central with a number of lofty (but very well intentioned) goals maybe you should first be SMART. This is an acronym that was presented at one of the TRIDEC conferences but I think is well worth remembering in times like this.
Specific: Specific goals have much greater chances of being accomplished than a general goal.
Measurable: Decide how you plan to measure your progress toward the attainment of each goal you set.
Attainable: Set a goal that you could realistically reach if you wanted to: do you have the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach the goal?
Realistic: Set a goal that is realistic...i.e. do you really want to do this and are you both willing -- and able -- to work.
Timely: Set a time frame in which to accomplish the goal.
These guidelines could be applied to anything, which is why I think they are very useful. So with these in hand, go out and control your diabetes. But remember, be SMART!
Good luck everyone and hope you have an enjoyable and fantastic 2008!