6 Habits of Pharmacists Who Own Their Niche

6 Habits of Pharmacists Who Own Their Niche

Any pharmacist can own their unique niche. It doesn't take a particular personality or inherent trait. What I've observed that sets a few people apart from the noisy crowd comes down to their habits.

Here are habits I’ve seen from those that stand out:

#1: Consistency is king

Remember, 80% is just showing up. So, show up every day for 6-12 months. No matter how bad you think what you want to share is, you’d better hit publish. Anything published is better than an idea in your head.?

#2: Do the minimum you can commit to?

I know....you are a high-achieving PharmD who wants to own this niche and own it NOW! Good for you! Now before you go all New Year’s Resolution and gangbusters on these goals, I want you to scale back so you can win the race. Consistency, not rocket launches, wins the race.

I commit to the very minimum I can do every day. For example, I started by just posting once a day for an entire year. That is it. Each post probably took me between 5-30 minutes, but over a year, that is where that consistency added up. Now I create two posts a day and two newsletters a month.

What is the minimum you can commit to? Now write it down and put it on your calendar (right now!) that you will show up every day. It non-negotiable

#3: Get in the habit of just starting

You are either starting or wasting time. “Standing on the starting line, we are all cowards,” Alberto Salazar. So just get in the habit of starting things. It is a habit and a trait you can develop in yourself. Be a starter.

I’ve found that action cures fear. Action puts that energy into action instead of keeping it buzzing in your brain.?

#4: Patience

You'll never get big if you don’t have the patience to build over time consistently. It takes time. Nothing will happen for a long time when you start. Accept that and keep going.

Expect Nothing. Appreciate everything.?

#5: Make your future self a non-negotiable priority.?

Make your minimum commitment (point #2) non-negotiable. Your future is too important to push back because someone got sick or because an unexpected trip came up. Once you break a habit, getting back on that horse is hard.?

If you had a phone call with Oprah on your calendar, I guarantee that you’d make yourself available at that place and time to talk with her no matter where you were in the world. Do the same for yourself. Ten minutes daily minutes for you on the calendar keeps you moving forward and reminds you of your commitment when you hit the dregs of a busy life.?

#6: Work, despite how you feel

Your emotions are real, but they should not influence how you work or show up. If you can keep showing up every day despite feeling:

• Tired?
• Unmotivated
• Depressed
• Insecure
• Mad
• Upset
• Sad
• Anxious
• Busy
• Overwhelmed
• Like an imposter
• Discouraged
• Lonely
• Bored
• Uninspired
• Lame
• Sick
• Jealous

Then you win.?

We all feel these emotions. Creating in public (really, creating anything) is an emotional rollercoaster. But emotions do not dictate how you work. They are simply feelings. Show up despite how you are feeling!

If you wait to feel inspired and on top of the world, then very few days will you actually show up. It’s ok to feel all the emotions. Don’t judge yourself or put meaning on the emotions. Get to work sharing anyway, no matter what you are feeling.?

When I hear people say they quit because it was hard, or they lost their motivation, or because it was discouraging not to have the feedback they want, it was because they gave up on themselves. They just gave up and lost all their momentum. You only fail by quitting. Everything else is learning. Make your willpower stronger than your emotions, and stop waiting for external validation, and to be inspired.

Work anyway, and inspiration will come.?

Jamie