Every careerpreneur is fundamentally in the numbers business. (And I mean that in the legal sense of the word!) We’re constantly counting something, be it: calls and pitches (how many were made vs. how many are needed to close a sale), sales (how many sales were made plus what was the size of each sale); clients (how many clients do you have vs. how many do you want/need for a thriving business); time (how much time is needed to complete a task or project vs. how much time do you have available to do said), and money (money earned, lost, saved, spent, and invested). Numbers are extremely valuable barometers because numbers never lie! The numbers are what they are.

Ultimately, numbers tell the most objective story of success or failure. But as I recently discovered, it really depends upon how you define “success” and “failure.” From what I learned from planning the Financial Intimacy Conference, the relationship between numbers, success and failure are dependent on what you are measuring when you count, what you determine the measurement to mean, and how you tie that measurement to your identity. Let me explain. Continue Reading »

From a sociopolitical standpoint, I appreciate and understand identity politics.

Without it, groups of disenfranchised or oppressed individuals would not be able to band together and gain power and strength by celebrating their differences and mobilizing.

In nutrition, though, I often see a more destructive — rather than constructive — side to identity politics.

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When most people think of identity theft, it is usually in connection with the stealing of one’s personal information (e.g., social security number, credit card number, passport). But a recent conversation with a friend about what is usually an innocent question brought to mind a different kind of identity theft, one that is perhaps even more insidious.

I’m sure you are familiar with this scenario: You’re at a non-professional social gathering, you meet someone new, and after the initial pleasantries, you are asked, “So, what do you do?” How do you react to this question? Do you embrace or despise it? Is your reaction dependent upon whether you’re working; if you love the work you do; or, if you’re earning what you want to earn? Continue Reading »