Hello and welcome to The RNDM: Longform, a weekly newsletter which consists of articles written by the RNDM team.

Each week we'll aim to share more in-depth articles written by our team on the same interesting topics as we cover in our usual newsletter.

Please let us know what you think of this new format. Did you like it? Would you change anything? Feedback is a gift so let us know by replying to the email or leave a comment below.

Copycat

Copycat.

A child's game. But you can use it to help improve at a skill or in your job.

Intentional Imitation of an expert is a great way to improve your knowledge and understanding. I came across this idea from David Perrell. In his article "Imitate to Innovate" he argues that imitation of somebody's work with an intent to understand the choices they made allows you to develop a deeper understanding.

Being forced to think why somebody made a certain decision pushes you to grapple with your understanding.

Once you're able to deeply understand the reasoning of the expert and have developed enough confidence in your skill you can then apply this in ways which allow you to add your own twist. To develop your own style.

From deliberate imitation of different experts you may develop an understanding that allows you to add a twist that imagines the skill in a way never thought of before. It leads to innovation.

I think the concept of imitate to innovate is one of the best ways for new PCN pharmacists to learn and adapt to their new roles.

As Perrell says "The harder it is to put the core knowledge into words, the more a skill should be developed through imitative learning. Often, these skills have a bunch of subtleties that are best learned in conversation with a master, or by watching them do their work."

As a pharmacist new to the PCN role it can be hard to develop and understand the different thought processes required.

Through intentional imitation of more experienced colleagues, either through observation or simply copying their methods, you can gain a deeper understanding of the thinking required.

Eventually after you've observed and understood their choices and as your experience and confidence improves you will be able to understand enough to be able to include your own twist to the skill.

I've been applying this concept to my role for the last few months and feel I've improved my thought processes and gained a deeper understanding.

For any pharmacist new to PCN world, I would definitely recommend shadowing a more experienced colleague or even just asking them to go through your work to see what choices they would have made. Learn from their choices by thinking why they made that choice and you will notice your understanding improves. Thank you for reading. H/T David Perrell's article Imitate to Innovatehttps://perell.com/essay/imitate-then-innovate/

Humour Me: Using Comedy To Deal With Stress

We all know that life can be stressful. Whether it's a looming deadline, a difficult conversation, or just the daily grind, stress can be overwhelming. But what if we told you that the answer to your stress could be as simple as a good laugh?Humour has long been used as a coping mechanism for difficult situations, and research has shown that it can be an effective tool for managing stress. While it may seem counterintuitive, humour can be an invaluable tool for reducing stress levels and improving overall wellbeing.

What is Stress?

Stress is a natural response to a perceived threat or challenge. It's the body's way of preparing us to fight or flee from a potentially dangerous situation. When we experience stress, our body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can lead to a range of physical and psychological reactions.The physical reactions to stress can include increased heart rate, sweating, and difficulty breathing. The psychological reactions can include anxiety, fear, and irritability. Stress can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health, and can lead to a range of physical and psychological illnesses.

How Can Humour Help?

Humour can be an effective tool for managing stress. Studies have shown that humour can reduce stress levels, improve mood, and even boost immunity.Humour can help us to take a step back from a stressful situation and gain a new perspective. It can help us to view the situation in a more light-hearted way, and to find the humour in the situation. This can help to reduce stress levels and improve our overall wellbeing.Humour can also help to reduce anxiety. It can distract us from our worries and allow us to focus on something else. It can help to boost our mood and give us a much-needed break from the stress and anxiety of a difficult situation.

Tips for Using Humour to Manage Stress

• Find something to laugh about: Look for humour in your everyday life. Watch a funny movie, read a humorous book, or listen to a comedy podcast.

• Share a joke: Jokes are a great way to lighten the mood and reduce stress. Share a joke with a friend or family member, or even just tell yourself a joke.

• Laugh out loud: Laughter is contagious. If you hear someone else laughing, join in!

• Make light of the situation: Sometimes the best way to deal with a stressful situation is to find the humour in it.

• Take a break: Take a few minutes to step away from the situation and do something that makes you laugh.

The Benefits of Humour

Humour can be an invaluable tool for managing stress. It can help to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and boost immunity. It can also help to take our mind off our worries and allow us to gain a new perspective on a difficult situation.

Humour can also help to create a sense of connection. Sharing a joke with someone else can help to build relationships and create a sense of community.

Finally, humour can help to put things into perspective. It can help us to see the funny side of a situation and to realise that, in the grand scheme of things, it's not as bad as it seems.

Humour can be an effective tool for managing stress. It can help to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and even boost immunity.

Taking the time to laugh and find the humour in a difficult situation can help to put things into perspective and allow us to gain a new perspective on the situation.

So next time you're feeling stressed, take a few minutes to find something to laugh about. You might be surprised at how much better you feel.

Enjoyed the newsletter?

Spread the joy and share it with a friend.

Thanks again for your support.