By Jennifer S. Wilkov
www.JenniferSWilkov.com
We’ve got a lot of numbers in our lives: age, weight, height, income, bank accounts and more.
In turn, this gives us a lot of opportunities to judge ourselves and be judged by others.
Let’s face it: oftentimes, we use numbers as a thermometer of our worth. We allow the numbers in our bank accounts to define if we are good enough. We get on the scale every day seeking success.
We are judged by our youth when prospective bosses and clients want someone with more experience. Then we are judged again by our seemingly diminished usefulness when we are older and have too much experience, or perhaps wisdom.
I know people, for example, who don’t want a pretty, young life insurance agent. They can’t imagine that she could be knowledgeable enough to help them, even though she runs a terrific office with staff and graduated from a well-respected university.
Funny, isn’t it – how we let numbers tell the stories of our lives and others?
We associate meaning, make assumptions and draw conclusions about ourselves and others just because of the numbers we see.
When our bank accounts are lower than we’d like to see them or when we weigh in higher on the scale, we suddenly feel a little less worthy – and a little bit less of ourselves.
Heck, years ago when we were really little, we were trained to feel this way by family, society and culture. We would go to the amusement park and be turned away from riding the great big roller coaster because we weren’t the right number of inches high. We were told, “Someday, Sweetheart, you’ll be tall enough to ride it.”
Later in life, we find exclusive clubs that include only those with certain income levels and bank balances that can afford the dues payments. Once again, we feel a little less because we can’t get in when our numbers don’t qualify. Then we tell ourselves, “Someday, I’m going to have enough to join and be counted as a member.”
I was reading a terrific blog post on GoodLifeZen.com called, “Letting Go Is Not The Same As Giving Up.” In it, guest blogger Courtney Carver of BeLessWithMore.com talks about letting go of our obsession with numbers. She says, “Letting numbers on a scale, in your bank account or even on your Google Analytics dictate your mood for the day, is no way to live life on purpose. Instead of checking your weight every morning, choose one afternoon a week, or every two weeks to check your numbers. Use the numbers as markers of progress, not indicators of who you are, or how you feel.”
I absolutely agree with Courtney.
Stop living by the numbers and start living your life. Define it by who you are, what you experience and what you want to do.
The numbers will always be there. But they need not be the bell weather of your true success.
A life embraced is a life enjoyed. You’re old enough, young enough, tall enough, weigh enough, have enough in your bank accounts and have enough experience. Sweetheart, today is your day to ride.
You Can Do It!
Tell me about why you let numbers diminish you and how they hold you back from the success you deserve. I’d love to hear about your humanity and how you touch the lives of others when you let go of the numbers and truly live.
© 2010 Jennifer S. Wilkov. All Rights Reserved.
Jennifer S. Wilkov: Media personality, host and producer
of the #1 radio talk show “Your Book Is Your Hook!” on WomensRadio.
Jennifer is a best-selling award-winning author who has been published five
times, an award-winning freelance writer and a respected book business
consultant in her business by the same name, “Your Book Is Your Hook!”
She has both self-published and been published by a traditional publisher.
Jennifer has been called the quintessential writer and teacher for the 21st
century. She supports first-time and seasoned authors in their book writing,
publishing and marketing endeavors through coaching and training in her “Your
Book Is Your Hook!” consulting practice. www.YourBookIsYourHook.com
www.JenniferSWilkov.com
