So much to do, so little time. You could probably write a novel about how this mantra speaks true for you.
Administering flu shots. Meeting with new patients. Planning a customer appreciation event. Whatever the day, your schedule is likely filled to the brim with obligations and deadlines. And, for your independent community pharmacy to succeed, time is of the essence.
While you can’t always control everything, you can make plans to time manage your day to the best of your abilities. Follow these 10 tips to successfully manage your busy schedule.
1. Inventory your time
Prioritizing is key to successful time management.
Each day, determine the top tasks that you need to complete. Are you on a deadline for filling a certain number of prescriptions? Or, do you need to deal with your pharmacy’s financials? Whatever the task may be, inventory your time to do the most important tasks first.
2. Get organized
How well is your pharmacy organized?
It’s all too easy to waste time if your business is cluttered and lacking organization.
For example, if your patient history files are sorted in different folders in your pharmacy’s computer system, it will be difficult to find what you need. You’ll waste time sorting through things when your valuable time could have been spent elsewhere.
3. Watch the clock
Time management doesn’t have to be difficult, it can be as simple as watching the clock.
Be sure to place a clock in a visible area in your pharmacy, so that everyone can keep track of time. And, if you have a certain project that needs to be completed by a certain time, be sure to set an alarm to remind you.
4. Stay on schedule
Before a new week begins, go through the past week’s calendar of events.
Although no two days will look the same at your pharmacy, it’s possible to map out a basic daily schedule.
For example, designate a short amount of time each morning to check emails or hold staff meetings.
Having a pre-determined to-do list can help you avoid falling into the pitfalls of time wasting.
5. Get enough sleep
You might be prone to thinking that too much sleep is a time-waster, but it’s not. Getting the daily-recommended amount of sleep is critical to successful time management.
If you get too little sleep, you’ll start to feel tired during the day when you need to be alert. And, remember, don’t sacrifice your sleep for work. You’ll get more done—and do a better job—if you’ve had enough rest.
6. Get rid of time-wasting habits
Procrastination or socializing with coworkers when you know you’re on a deadline are only a couple of time-wasting habits to break.
Banish those time-wasting habits for good, and you’ll find you have much more time in the day.
7. Delegate your duties
Owning or managing a small business takes a lot out of you. And, if you’re dealing with too many obligations, you’ll never be able to complete everything that you need to.
If you find that you can’t complete all of your obligations, delegate some of your tasks to your staff. Employees will appreciate the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities. And, you’ll have more free time in your schedule to get stuff done.
8. Cut out distractions
Social media or checking texts. What’s your vice?
Cutting out what you know is causing you to lose track of time is crucial. For example, if you know that your phone is a distraction, turn it off.
9. Motivate yourself
When you feel flooded with work, and there’s too little time to get it all done, it can be difficult to get started. This is especially true if you know the task is going to take awhile, or if you dread completing the task at hand.
If you nudge yourself, or have something to look forward to, it’s possible to get your obligations done on time.
For example, if you have a long day ahead full of meetings, give yourself something to look forward to, like ordering catering for lunch or going out to dinner once the long day is finally over.
Once you get to work, you’ll start to notice that the more you keep busy, the more time will fly by.
10. Realize you won’t always get everything done
Time management is important, but it’s not the end-all be-all. It’s important to remember that you won’t always get everything done, but if you put in your best effort, that’s what counts.
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and owned by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited secondary wholesaler with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
