The AADE7 Action Plan for managing your diabetes

This is the last in a series of articles about self managing your diabetes. This action plan is another step on your tool to take with you on your journey.

The purpose of this action plan is to help you set easy-to-achieve self-care goals, one goal at a time. As you follow this plan, remember to aim for progress, not perfection.

Read the list of the seven self-care behaviors. Write down the one behavior that seems most challenging. This will be your primary goal.

Under the goal you select, write down a small commitment toward that goal. Be sure to use proactive language. For instance, if your goal is “Being Active” your commitment might be I choose to walk each day for 15 minutes. If it’s “Monitoring” I choose to check my blood glucose levels 3 times each day. Remember to start with small choices!

Put your goal in a win-win frame of mind. Under your commitment statement write the names of two (or more) people who can help you achieve your goal – at least one from your medical team (doctor, educator, dietitian, etc) and one from your social circle (spouse, friend or child).
Contact the people you listed above and share your goal with them. Schedule periodic meetings or appointments with them to check your progress. Write those meetings down on your calendar.

When you feel you have made progress with this goal, select another goal from the list of self-care behaviors and repeat these steps.
Post your commitment sheet where you can see it.

Also keep this information with you for inspiration and encouragement. It will “recharge” your proactive spirit as you move closer to mastering all the diabetes self-care behaviors.