If you are like most chiropractors, the ambition and drive that got you into chiropractic is equally matched with a dream of owning and building a successful practice. Unfortunately, there's more focus on the requirements of how to exit from college than the requirements necessary to start, build and sustain a highly successful principled practice.

Early in my practice I really thought I was on purpose. Instead, I found I was "on goal." That may not sound very important to you right now, but I realized that I was doing this thing for the most part from the seat of my pants. I heard someone once say, "Plan your work, then work your plan." But where was this plan supposed to come from? And who is supposed to guide the working of this plan?

It seemed more like just words from some motivational speaker rather than a way to pave a road for a career full of success. If you really knew what it took to get yourself in the winner's circle, you would stop doing almost everything you're doing now!

That's what's so dangerous about being on goal. At least five of every ten decisions you make or actions you take are sabotage-based versus growth-based. It takes seven out of ten correct decisions and actions to establish and sustain growth. Of course, if you didn't have a solid plan you would notice this happening right beneath your nose.

In the winner's circle it's easier and less stressful to move forward than it is to stay where you are. But those in the winner's circle have received professional instruction and therefore have a specific plan to propel them forward. Trying to re-invent the wheel is simply a plan to fail. If the actions you take in your practice are not executed from a carefully designed plan, you might as well scrap it all and get it right!

But the winner's circle requires more than a great plan, it demands a big purpose. Earlier I mentioned being on goal and the tragedy that comes when your practice has afforded you enough financial and/or material rewards that it begins to be a de-motivating factor. Unfortunately, you have to get that lost before you realize the difference between being on-goal and on-purpose. Then you have to have the heart to take action on a step-by-step plan. Those in the winner's circle ultimately know that taking risks is what separates themselves from everyone else. Perhaps the biggest risk of all is the willingness to expose yourself by playing at a thousand percent.

A great year in practice is filled with lots of great days. So there's no question that key decisions, a smart plan and some well-timed risks are happening every day in a practice. At any given time, your practice is an accurate reflection of you! If you're on time, it's on time. If you're feeding it well, it's getting stronger. If you're thinking good thoughts, it's thinking clearly. If you're proud of your work, it's promoting your work to everyone. Of course, just the opposite can also be true.

You have to find the place within yourself where you love your patients more than you ever have without feeling dependant on them or attached to them, (because that's when you begin changing or flexing on your rules). You have to care so much that you don't care at all. This is all part of the risk taking that must happen if you are to find your rightful place in the winner's circle.

You may feel without a winning plan, you may be practicing through frustration or distraction rather than purpose and you may feel somewhat paralyzed to take the risks you know must happen. All this is quite normal when first committing to a practice with the conscious intention of building it big, and adjusting as many people as possible every week in your practice. You have to start by creating a relentless pursuit of the winner's circle, not letting anyone get in your way. Once the torch is lit, you must keep the dream alive.

Seventy eight percent of my team memberships in the last two years have already found the winner's circle by getting on-purpose, getting on-plan and learning how to take the right risks at the right time. The other 22% are resisting, still trying to do it on their own and their results aren't improving as a consequence. At least they're in the program so they have direction. And those who call to say they're tired of doing things their way and want to get on-plan are headed for the winner's circle within six months.

Are you having trouble with putting your team together? Maybe you need to hire another C.A. or let one go? Are you looking to get some new equipment, start a new marketing program and hire a coach, but not sure if you can afford to do it all? Are you having problems with patients either converting to care or staying with the care you recommended? Are you feeling like there should be more profit at the end of the month from all your hard work?

If you really knew what it took to get into the winner's circle, you would stop what you're doing and re-tool for the future. Decide now to take advice that will permanently advance your practice growth. Do whatever it takes to get on-purpose because your practice cannot grow past you.