When Frank first started working in pharmacy, the job was a great fit. He enjoyed working with patients, and he didn’t have many commitments outside of work, so his retail schedule never became an issue.

Eventually, though, his situation changed, and he had a family and kids to think about. His retail work hours interfered with his family so he transitioned a job in an outpatient pharmacy.

The new job offered excellent retail hours but no flexibility in scheduling. It also required Frank to focus more on metrics and less on patient interaction, the thing he loves most about pharmacy.

When Frank contacted me about coaching, he wasn’t driven by money. More than anything else, Frank wanted to get back some of his time.

“My schedule interfered with things I wanted to do,” he said. “If something comes up at the last minute, it’s virtually impossible to get time off. Vacations have to be scheduled six months ahead of time. There’s not much flexibility.”

Why coaching?

When we talked, Frank told me that enlisting the help of a coach had always been in the back of his mind. Although he didn’t know me well before we started working together, he knew that coaching would provide accountability, and though it would be challenging, he knew it would also be beneficial.

In short, he wanted help becoming the very best version of himself.

He wanted someone to help him determine what that might look like. He also wanted someone to help him reorganize his priorities and understand his own situation a little better.

“I was frustrated with my work environment and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue in that direction,” Frank told me. “I was trying to get clarity about pharmacy; after doing it for 23 years, is it still something I want to do?”

What changed?

Our coaching sessions helped Frank realize that he has control over his own situation.

He shared with me that he had previously only considered things that were available to him locally. He hadn’t considered the wide array of options that existed within pharmacy, and he certainly hadn’t considered doing work outside of pharmacy.

Over the course of our time together, Frank and his wife wrestled with their budget and their finances to determine what their options were. Together, they determined that freedom and flexibility were extremely important and that they were tired of pharmacy dictating their lives.

As a result, Frank decided to pursue a full-time job in real estate, with a plan to supplement his income if necessary.

He has already added two rental properties to his real estate empire.

“I’m a little nervous about the change,” Frank said. “I don’t think I’ll ever absolutely overcome the anxiety, but I have a different perspective now. I’m excited about the freedoms and flexibilities.”

More than pharmacy

Frank and I tackled issues much broader than just pharmacy.

We discussed habits and ways to create accountability. We talked about the impact of minimizing, or downsizing, our lives, and the connection that decision has to our budget.

We also talked about life outside of pharmacy, which proved powerful as Frank search for his next move.

“Journaling shed light on a lot of things for me,” Frank said. “Overall, it was the tangible changes that made a big difference for me: the weekly discussions, the book, the resources, and the exercises.”

Frank said he’s pleased with the decision he made to start a new adventure.

“I feel a little like I’m leaving rehab,” he said, “like I’m headed out on the street.”

Frank once considered himself stuck in pharmacy, but coaching changed his perspective. It can do the same for you.
 

Coaching is an investment in yourself. Our complimentary coaching session makes it risk-free, so that you can explore the possibility without pressure. Whether you decide to continue, you’ll walk away with action steps you can take and the added perspective of an objective outsider who has been where you are.

We look forward to hearing from you.