How to Make a SMART Plan

Click here for some tips for Care Partners

TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

MAKE A SMART PLAN TO TACKLE YOUR GOAL

SMART plans are a road map to help us succeed. They give us a clear idea of where we want to be and how to get there.

FIVE REASONS TO MAKE SMART PLANS

1. They help you focus.

2. They help you stay motivated.

3. They help you manage your time.

4. They help you track your progress.

5. You are more likely to achieve them.

Click here to download and fill out a SMART plan worksheet.

FOLLOW YOUR PLAN AND LEARN FROM YOUR EFFORTS

Use the SMART plan worksheet to help you through your first health goal. After the first week, ask yourself how you're doing with the plan:

How do I feel about what I'm trying?
What is working for me?
Is my plan is easy to stick to?
What is getting in the way of my doing what I've planned to do?
Have I noticed any changes or differences?
What, if any, challenges am I facing with managing my diabetes while following this plan?

Change is hard! If you run into problems following your action plan, use what you’ve learned to change the plan to one you think will be more successful.

Problem-solving is an ongoing process. If you feel stuck or have a hard time, ask your Care Partner or healthcare professional for help.

Do not give up when you cannot come up with a solution immediately or if your first plan to solve the problem does not work. It often takes many tries to find a solution.

When you reach your first goal, celebrate your success and create an action plan for your next goal!

TIPS WORTH TRYING

Involve someone else who can encourage you, such as your Care Partner.
Try to make your action plan fun and enjoyable.
Write your plan down and post it where you will see it.
Start with what you think would be the easiest thing to change. Don’t try to work on everything at once.

HOW CARE PARTNERS CAN HELP

If your partner spent time working on their diabetes action plans:

Congratulate them!
Ask how well their action plan worked to address their diabetes concern.
If they changed their diabetes or health routine, ask if there is a way you can help them keep up the new routine.
If they were not able to make the changes they wanted to make, ask what they learned from trying to make the change. Then discuss how they might change their plans to address their diabetes concern this week.

If your partner was not able to spend time working on their diabetes action plans:

Remember, making action plans to address diabetes concerns can be a helpful way to reach diabetes goals over time. Your partner may need some extra support to work on their action plans this week.
Ask if there is an action item from their last call they would still like to work on this week.
If they choose one, ask if they would like to take a different approach to that item this week.
Ask if there is a way you can help them follow their updated plan. Ask again a few days later to talk about the progress they've made on their plan and how their plans are working to address their diabetes concerns.