T Minus Two Type Two Diabetes and Other Passions

Standards

I've been thinking about two different senses of the word 'standard'.

The first sense refers to a decision about the way something needs to be. There are manufacturing standards, standards of weights and measures, and rules of behavior. In my case, having upped the amount of attention I pay to the tidiness of my apartment, I'm deciding what standards of cleanliness I want to set for myself.  I'm thinking of these standards as kind of like goals, only ongoing: like goals, they'll only work if they're achievable. I'm also recognizing that there are compromises made necessary by practicality. I could, for example, put my pill sorters away in drawers, but leaving them on my bathroom cupboard and my living room table provide valuable reminders. I also recognize that I'm not going to get out of bed before turning out my lights in order to put my current book on my bookshelf.

I'm also thinking about standards as in 'standard of care'. I'm sure I don't have this quite right, but a standard of care seems to be a detailed recommendation as to how health care professionals should approach treating a particular condition. This last spring, the American Diabetes Association and its European counterpart proposed a revised standard of care for Type 2 diabetes.

Bringing these two senses of "standard" together, do I need to revise my personal standard of care for my diabetes?  I mean, sure, I could lay out a pretty good list of what I'd do if I was to be given a big ol' smooch by the Perfection Fairy, but that's not realistic. But I'll bet there are enhancements I could make, and I'll bet a little bit of thought could help me find ways around some of my barriers.

Hmm.