Shared by Dr. Dennis Perman of the Masters. He has a free weekly e-
mail program. To receive it please e-mail him at: Masters9@aol.com

The following was right after the Summer Olympics of 2000.

Dear Doctor,

There is an intense,  passionate scent in the air.  Marion Jones 
promises five gold medals,  capturing three and two bronze,  but 
lighting up the competition to meet her challenge.  The perennial 
champion Yankees are stumbling under the onslaught of inspired 
second division teams.  Even the mighty Dream Team almost 
faltered,  to an upstart squad of Lithuanian hoopsters that stood eye 
to eye with history before blinking.

In this swirl of megasport,  I noticed a little newscast on a little 
station,  reporting on high school football.  There was a clip of Coach 
Eddie Stimson of Hoboken High talking to his team before gametime,  
and here is what he said.

"Men,  when you come through the door of this locker room,  I want 
you to keep in mind that this is a special place.  No matter what's 
going on in your life,  in school,  at home,  with your girlfriends,  I 
want you to remember that this is a special place,  dedicated to only 
one goal -- victory.  When you come in here,  there is no talk about 
problems,  no talk about school,  no talk about anything except -- 
victory.  If you need help with something,  I'll be there for you.  But 
when you come in here,  you remember that this is a special place.  
And when you step out onto the field,  all you think about is -- 
victory."

At this point,  the words "special place" and "victory" were searing a 
hole in my cortex.  Why was this hitting me so hard?  And what is 
the "winner's edge" that causes players of roughly the same ability 
to succeed or fail?  What does it take to get the gold?

I wonder,  how many of us observe the sanctity of our own 
workplaces?  Is your office a laser beam,  in perfect alignment?  Or 
is it a conglomeration of attitudes,  some consistent with success,  
but with some distractions,  some gossip,  and some personal issues 
mixed in,  forming a melange that has all the raw materials,  but 
falls short vibrationally due to incongruency -- or maybe just lack 
of focus.

I say this because my experience is,  when questioned,  most 
chiropractors,  and most people for that matter,  do know the way to 
happiness,  success,  and fulfillment.  They just have not yet 
manifested the discipline and concentration to follow through on 
what they know.  Where does that buck stop exactly?

Please take a look at your office,  and see if the atmosphere is 
conducive to the realization of your highest purpose.  Take 
immediate action to clear up any distractions or tolerations in the 
behavior of the staff,  especially the doctor.  Be there for each 
other,  but on office time,  it's a team with only one mission.

Dr. Markson often says that when a practice isn't reaching its 
potential,  it's because the office is looking for a leader.  Usually,  
it's the doctor who finally decides to step up to the plate and take 
control of his or her life and practice.  Sometimes,  motivation or 
leadership takes a group effort -- but it has to come from 
somewhere.  And if you're not sure,  ask Eddie Stimson,  who knows 
that winning is not only about ability,  it's about preparation,  
execution,  and will.  Make your office a special place -- and taste 
victory.