Hi Everyone!
Continuing the topic from last week, I wanted to talk about how to implement our goals.
The first step is to dream up our goals and state what they are. Goals can be short-term or long-term and may require breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Effective goal-setting involves planning, prioritizing, and tracking progress, as well as being persistent, motivated, and open to learning and adapting along the way. By setting goals, you can clarify your priorities, improve your focus and productivity, and increase your chances of success.
The next step is to implement. You cannot achieve your dreams if you do not even attempt to take steps toward them. Implementing goals involves taking specific steps to work towards achieving them. This may include developing a plan, breaking down the goal into smaller tasks, setting deadlines, tracking progress, and making adjustments as necessary. It may also involve seeking support, developing new skills, and staying motivated and persistent. Effective implementation of goals can help you achieve success, improve your productivity and performance, and enhance your personal or professional development.
Our Example Goal from last week was: I will reduce the number of high blood sugar's I have after meals over the next three months. Using this example, we can establish ways to meet the goal. Below is a list of ten ways to be successful.
Involve our health care team.
Refreshing our carb counting knowledge.
Check our blood sugars before and after we eat; either finger sticks or a CGM.
Use a visual aid like pen and paper or an app to log carbohydrates
Set timers to remind us to take our medication according to the prescribed directions.
Using a visual aid to log our water intake to ensure we stay hydrated.
Practicing good sleep hygiene.
Spend at least 30 minutes exercising our bodies.
Using a tool like the MyPlate to ensure we are following a well rounded diet.
Make a schedule with all of these steps to bring self accountability to the table.
In all of the chaos that comes with self improvement, it can be easy to forget to celebrate the little achievements. In our goal to improve the overall post meal blood sugar average, we can celebrate the days in which it is realized. Everyday is different. Every meal is different. Every body is different. Remembering this can help reduce the sense of overwhelm that goes hand in hand with diabetes.
I talk a lot about how it is important to remember that diabetes should be an individualized experience. When it comes to goals. We may have the same goal but our journey's are not going to be identical and that is okay. The guidelines are there to guide. We are allowed to tailor them to fit our own experience.
All of the love,
Trisha
The Diabetic Diabetes Nurse
References:
Boeykens, D., Boeckxstaens, P., De Sutter, A., Lahousse, L., Pype, P., De Vriendt, P., & Van de Velde, D. (2022). Goal-oriented care for patients with chronic conditions or multimorbidity in primary care: A scoping review and concept analysis. PLOS ONE, 17(2), e0262843. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262843
Davis, T. (n.d.). Personal Goals: Definition, 30 Examples, & Tips for Goal Setting. The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/personal-goals.html
Kangovi, S., Mitra, N., Smith, R. A., Kulkarni, R., Turr, L., Huo, H., Glanz, K., Grande, D., & Long, J. A. (2017). Decision-making and goal-setting in chronic disease management: Baseline findings of a randomized controlled trial. Patient Education and Counseling, 100(3), 449–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2016.09.019
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