Managing oneself: An essential skill for managing others

Objectives: To discuss the importance of self-management for student pharmacists, pharmacists, and pharmacy managers and present a series of steps that students and new pharmacists can use in managing themselves. Data sources: An English language-only literature search was conducted of the PubMed and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts databases from 1980 to 2007 using the keywords managing and career, managing oneself, and career management. Information from the search was supplemented with selected articles and books from the management and self-improvement literature. Study selection: Cited sources were chosen based on their relevance to the article's objectives. Data extraction: By the author. Data synthesis: Common steps associated with managing oneself and one's career consist of taking responsibility for your life, knowing yourself, deciding what you want to do and be, establishing goals to achieve the life you want to live, and taking action. A major goal of any self-management plan for managers is to develop soft interpersonal skills that help individuals manage themselves and influence the world around them. Conclusion: Effective self-management is necessary for success in managing others. The steps are relatively simple but take a lifetime to master.