Start S.M.A.R.T.

Do you really know how to set goals for the new year? The thought of goal setting can be overwhelming for many people; you’re not alone. We’re sure you’ve heard about S.M.A.R.T. goals at work or in other team-building experiences. Have you thought about using this guide while thinking about your foot health goals for 2022? We think you may be pleasantly surprised at how easy it can be to apply to podiatry. At PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center, we’re here to help you do what it takes to succeed. 

So, what makes a S.M.A.R.T. goal?

S – Specific 

M – Measurable

A – Achievable 

R – Relevant

T – Time-bound

Now, how should you apply it to a podiatry-related goal?

Focus on a condition 

Do you have diabetes? A goal could focus on checking your blood sugar at least six times during the day during the first quarter of the year. It is specific, can be measured or tracked, achievable, relevant, and easily done within a reasonable about of time. Speak with a podiatrist about a way to tackle a diabetes-related goal.

Focus on hygiene

Do you change your socks every day? No judgment here. We hope you now know the importance of wearing clean, dry socks. A simple goal could be to change your socks daily during January. You are focusing on a specific accessory and tracking your progress each day. The goal is easily achievable if you have enough socks, it is relevant to your foot health, and it can be achieved within a certain amount of time. 

Focus on prevention

If you’re not doing a daily foot check, you could be missing changes to your feet. Here’s a simple goal: commit to inspecting your feet twice a day — every day -- for six months. From the first two examples, you can see how this goal meets the criteria. If you have questions about what you should be looking for during each inspection, we’re here to help. We also recommend checking your feet at the same time each day to create a healthy habit. 

We’re here to help you think about goal setting in another way. With S.M.A.R.T. goals, it becomes much easier to achieve your goals. Take your time when creating your list for 2022. Are you ready to take the steps needed to check each box?

Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.