Health outcomes for persons with diabetes.

New practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) reflect stringent goals for blood glucose control. Although the rationale is sound, such goals are difficult, if not impossible, to attain. It is proposed that focusing on the goals rather than one's attempts to approach the goals can lead to failure. This article examines the need to help patients focus on attempting to approach rather than on meeting the goals set forth by the ADA.