You're the Boss of Your Own Growth: How Chiropractors can Level up on Purpose

You're the Boss of Your Own Growth: How Chiropractors can Level up on Purpose

Here’s the truth that most don’t want to admit: if every day is just a reaction day, you’re living in a fixed mindset. That may sound harsh, but it’s real. You're not setting up for growth. You're not building in time for breakthroughs. You're just surviving—and that's the slowest path to burnout and the fastest way to plateau your potential. As chiropractors and leaders, we can’t afford to operate from that place. You’re not just a care provider. You’re the Learning & Development Officer of your life, your team, and your business. And it’s time to start acting like it.

What’s a Development Plan, Really?

Let’s clear this up: a development plan is not the same thing as collecting information. It’s not about how many unread books you own, podcasts you’ve saved, or courses you’ve downloaded. None of that counts unless it’s tied to action. A true development plan starts with clarity and ends with commitment. It’s a roadmap for growth that’s actually designed to get you somewhere meaningful.

1. Pick a Goal

Ask yourself: What Are You Growing Into?

A growth mindset isn’t just the belief that you can grow. It’s the decision to grow in a specific direction. It's saying, “I’m committed to mastering this skill,” or “I’m becoming the kind of person who can lead a team, scale a practice, or speak with confidence.” Growth needs a clear goal. Without a defined outcome, you're just wandering through content with no real transformation. Decide what you're working toward—whether it's a stronger business, healthier relationships, or more time freedom—and name it.

2. Figure Out What You Need to Learn

Ask yourself: What Must I Learn?

Once you’ve identified your goal, the next step is to reverse engineer the skills you need to get there. Ask yourself: what must I learn to close the gap between where I am and where I want to be? What new skills do I need to master? What mindset shifts are required? And who has already done it that I can learn from? Stack your inputs—books, mentorships, coaching, events—around the outcome you’re committed to. Your learning should directly support your transformation.

3. Decide How You’ll Learn

Ask yourself: How Will I Learn It?

Growth doesn’t happen randomly. You need a method—a way to absorb and implement what you’re learning. Will you be reading books every morning? Listening to podcasts during your commute? Taking online courses after hours? Meeting regularly with a coach or mentor? Attending events and workshops? The modality doesn’t matter as much as the consistency. Be strategic in how you’re consuming content and even more intentional with how you’re applying it.

4. Put It in the Calendar

Ask yourself: When will I learn it?

This is the part where most people drop the ball. They’ve got the books, they’ve got the coaching, they’ve even got the desire—but none of it is in the calendar. And if it’s not scheduled, it’s not real. You don’t have a development plan if you don’t know when you're going to do the work. Block time for reading. Schedule the course modules. Set aside time to reflect and implement. Your calendar should reflect your commitment to becoming who you say you want to be. Growth without scheduling is just a wish.

Growth = Gratitude in Action

Let’s take it deeper: growth is an expression of gratitude. If you’re truly thankful for your life, your opportunities, your business, and your calling, you’ll take full ownership of how you use your time. Reverence for life shows up in how you manage your minutes. Your calendar is a reflection of your priorities—and if your growth doesn’t have a home there, it’s not real yet. Be honest with yourself. You don’t need more inspiration. You need more implementation.

You can’t keep hoping that you’ll grow. You must plan for it. You must schedule it. You must show up for it. That next version of you—the one with more clarity, more confidence, more capacity to lead and serve—is already out there. It’s your job to meet them. So, what’s your next big growth goal? And how are you going to make space for it this week?

If this hit home, drop a comment and share the outcome you’re committed to. And if you’re ready for real, lasting transformation—with coaching, systems, and a community of chiropractors who are doing the work. Schedule a call with us now!