Sometimes you have to leave to find that next great idea. That goes for life and that especially goes for pharmacy.
As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, the pharmacy industry thrives on innovation and the energy of new ideas. Trends change, and your pharmacy might become old news if you don’t keep up with the times.
That’s what makes getting out of your pharmacy so important. No, we’re not saying you should leave your white coat in the dust — far from it. Get a new lease on your pharmacy life by expanding your horizons.
Here’s how and why you should get out of your pharmacy regularly.
The appeal of the independent pharmacy industry is you have the freedom to do pharmacy work your way. You don’t have to cut through mountains of corporate red tape and just focus on the well-being of your patients and community.
Though we believe in the adage “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” there is always room to improve in your pharmacy. Health journeys can be more prosperous and workflow can always be more efficient (hopefully with the help of your pharmacy software system).
Sometimes we never knew we needed time away until we actually left. You may feel comfortable with your pharmacy’s status quo, wondering why change what doesn’t need changing (see the previous section).
But then you get out of your pharmacy. You attend that pharmacy conference or participate in that community event (see later sections) and your brain is flooding with new ideas and new ways to enhance your patients’ health journey.
That’s not even the best part. Then you get to share those new ideas with your staff. Share that newfound knowledge with them and they can transform their pharmacy work too — all because you got out of your pharmacy.
Now that we know why you should get out of your pharmacy, let’s see how you can make the most of your time away from your small business.
Perhaps the most tried and tested way to get out of your pharmacy is by attending pharmacy conferences. Whether we’re talking NCPA or Catalyst Connect (register in your PioneerRx software by clicking the flame icon), pharmacy conferences are designed to give you new ideas and methods to run your pharmacy operations better.
Sure, you might think your pharmacy is doing well and there isn’t much to improve. Then you attend a class or workshop — and the pharmacy world never feels more open or filled with possibilities.
Pharmacy conferences create environments that naturally stimulate conversation and collaboration among attendees and speakers alike. Thousands of pharmacists like you have their own ownership journey. They have a unique perspective on pharmacy work and their approach to patient care. Why not learn their secret formula for pharmacy success?
As mentioned earlier, Catalyst Connect is the premier independent pharmacy software conference. For PioneerRx users, attending Catalsyt Connect is a must. The event is full of classes and workshops to leverage your pharmacy software like never before, such as the fan-favorite Tips & Tricks class hosted by Will Tuft, Director of Event Education.
You can collaborate with fellow pharmacy professionals and learn how they’re using PioneerRx to enhance their pharmacy — all because you got out of your pharmacy.
Learning from other ownership journeys can inform your work, giving you a refreshed perspective on the daily grind of pharmacy work.
You opened your pharmacy for a reason: to be a pillar of the community, a healthcare destination for all your patient's needs.
However, you can’t be a pillar of the community if you stay within your pharmacy walls.
Holding or participating in community events helps establish your pharmacy as a community staple.
Sometimes you don’t need a tradeshow or community event to justify getting out of your pharmacy. Sometimes all you need is a breath of fresh air to have a fresh lease on pharmacy work.
Studies show that a simple walk outside can give your mind some much-needed clarity. It helps reset your mind from the relentless hustle and bustle of pharmacy work. You might not feel stressed or overwhelmed, but as we looked at in previous sections, getting out of your pharmacy shows you just how much you need some away time.
A breath of fresh air varies in shape and size. It can be a short stroll outside your pharmacy, a staycation, a proper vacation, or — in the case of Ashley Moose — running marathons around the world on this episode of the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast:
We all have a bit of wanderlust. Scratch that traveling itch by getting out of your pharmacy. Your mind and body will be all the better for it.
Studies show that the mind is at its most creative when it’s free to think and wander. The grind and urgency of pharmacy work can stifle your creativity in the long run. Give your mind the freedom to rest and reset. That makes your free time an important commodity.
Spend your time outside of your pharmacy wisely. All work and no play is a no-no in the pharmacy industry, so use your free time doing things that matter to you.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to run that marathon or reach that fitness goal but never had enough time. Make an actionable plan to make that dream a reality.
Other non-pharmacy-related hobbies include:
Essentially, spend your free time that serves you and your interests. That pesky phone or computer screen stimulates your brain in all the worst ways, so get more analog with these hobbies.
To quote the CCO of RedSail Technologies Jeff Key, “If you’re not getting out of the walls of your pharmacy, those walls are probably closing in on you.”
Getting out of your pharmacy can be the spark to reignite your pharmacy’s flame.
We now know why you should get out of your pharmacy: you can get run down by routine, making you feel sluggish throughout the day. Then you get out of your pharmacy and your brain becomes a sponge for new ideas.
You also know how you can get out of your pharmacy by ways of pharmacy conferences like Catalyst Connect, community events, taking up healthy hobbies, or a simple walk.
Open your mind to new ideas by getting out of your pharmacy. It’ll reset your priorities and trailblaze a brighter and healthier future for you and your community. All you need to do is step out.
