Over the past decade, more than a million questions asked by chiropractors and their assistants have been answered through our coaching process. This month's column covers 10 key steps to building the "champion's mindset."

The first step is to become a better leader in your practice.

Where are you headed? What are you building? How will that make a difference? Would your teammates answer the same if asked? What's your ten year plan? What part of that plan are you functionally pursuing right now?

Leaders have to first ask the tough questions to themselves, sweat to find the answers, and then have the courage to trust them when they come. Anything short of this has nothing to do with a champion's mindset.

The second step requires you to continuously increase your level of energy.

It takes more energy to reach your next level of growth than it does to maintain your current level. Just knowing that should inspire you to get at least one or two levels of energy ahead of yourself! A champion mindset includes laser beam focus, which can only exist in the presence of abundant energy. Increased energy will also help you manage the tension, stress and pressure that come with higher levels of success.

The third step to a champion's mindset is attitude.

It's not what happens that matters, but how you respond to what happens. Chiropractors can and will feel things like upset, frustration, confusion, and even fear. That's perfectly natural. It is unacceptable however, to allow those feelings to be expressed through your attitude to others. You want people to trust your attitude, not wonder if you're having just another good day (or good week). A champion's attitude is strong and consistent from start to finish. Your attitude surpasses your personality (good or bad) in the power of influence you have upon others.

The fourth step is all about personal discipline.

Nothing is more important to a champion's mindset than the ability to count on himself or herself. Discipline is often looked at as a form of penalty, but in reality discipline is freedom. Do you wake up on time each morning? Do you prepare the same way each day before going to work? Is your adjustment time the same for each patient? Do you hold a workshop the same day and time every week? Are you home on time for dinner? Are you committed to your worship?

Disciplined people don't have to say anything, because their actions say it all. Champions hold discipline as the rudder of their ship. Without it, they're lost drifting at sea.

The fifth step to building the champion's mindset is enlightenment.

Before champions ever wow anyone by their work, they know they must first wow themselves. Unfortunately, most chiropractors are trapped in statistical quicksand. If the only time you are "moved" in practice is when the stats are going up, you won't be wowed often enough to wow others with your work. The champion's mindset begins with an unconstrained enthusiasm for telling the story and delivering the service, which makes chiropractic the greatest health profession in the world.

The sixth step entails rituals.

By definition, rituals bring a feeling of sacredness just through the experience of doing them. Rituals generate a tremendous amount of value and meaning for your life and practice, making each day count more than the last. Mentally, physically, spiritually, professionally -- rituals bring out the best in you so that you may give your best to others. Rituals may be the hardest and the greatest achievement in your life. For a chiropractor, you can't become a champion without them.

The seventh step to building the champion's mindset is simplicity.

Profoundness, effectiveness and efficiency all live in simplicity. Chiropractors have the worst habit of making their work complex which causes them a career full of stress and struggle. You have to fight hard to make things simple, and keep them that way. But the champion's mindset would be riddled with distraction if not for simplicity.

Tell the truth about subluxation. Find subluxation. Tell the truth about the power that made the body, and the power of adjustments. Adjust for life. It's just that simple (oh yes, and teach them to pay first).

The eighth step is humility.

One of the most difficult things to do after reaching several goals in practice is to serve with humility. In truth, the bigger the game you wish to play, the more humility needed to succeed. Getting too caught up with your accomplishments drowns out the possibility of future growth and service. The champion's mindset thrives on humility to keep things in perspective, so you can honor your journey as much or more than your progress along the way.

The ninth step involves intensity.

The champion's mindset sees his or her work as the most important thing happening in the world. Your ability to fully express the importance of your work and the passion you have for your work separates you from everyone else. It doesn't matter what other people think or say to the champion, rather their 100% commitment to delivering the truth about chiropractic health and healing. Intensity is what causes people to act and the champion's mindset is committed to causing massive action.

The tenth step to building the champion's mindset is purpose.

Inside each of us lives the high road, the place of highest integrity, filled with spirit and truth. The champion's mindset holds purpose as the oxygen to success and provides the opportunity for the champion to leave a legacy and not just a big bank account. Purpose is why you say what you say and do what you do every day of life. Without it, you are left with an aimless and empty pursuit.

The 10 qualities of the champion's mindset make up the acronym L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. and will guide you to the mountaintop of your practice. Make sure to include them as you sharpen your saw with skills and procedures.