Does talking about money make you uncomfortable? Many of us squirm when it comes to discussing money but today I’m going to push the topic just a bit. Negative beliefs about money are often inherited from our family and don’t serve us – in fact those passed-on false beliefs can actually hold you back.
I know that was true for me. I grew up in a household that seemingly never had enough. Money was never there for things I wanted or needed so I learned early on that if I wanted something, I would have to make it happen for myself. And I did.
The reality is that we all need to make adequate money to support ourselves. If we can’t manage to keep ourselves afloat, we can’t sustain our message – that deep resonant calling that got you into the field of nutrition in the first place. Having enough money allows us to continue our art, craft, and outreach – our real mission.
Money leads to financial success, of course, but more importantly, it provides freedom. Freedom for you and your family first and foremost, but financial wherewithal also gives you the freedom and capacity to help others. Let’s face it, if you can’t pay your bills, you honestly can’t help anyone else either. Money allows us to be generous with our time and resources. So, for these reasons, we need to get comfortable with money talk and even more importantly, take command of it so we can have more of it.
Interesting enough, taking command of your finances starts with how you manage your time. Start by assessing your workday. Taking a serious look, answer these questions: Do you set and achieve daily goals? Does your daily plan ensure you “get it all done”? Do you build in time not only for your primary work tasks but for equally important things like feeding yourself well, proper daily movement, nurturing relationships, and adequate rest? Does your day include a centering meditation or mindfulness practice? Or do you tend to take a more relaxed approach – more of “I’ll do what I can and hope for the best”?
If you resonate with the latter, you may not be doing all that well in your business. Success requires focus and planning. Whatever you are trying to accomplish in the world, whether it’s serving more clients or writing a blog, entails setting daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual goals – with clear metrics by which to measure progress and the attainment of those goals. Hoping for the best is not going to get you where you want to go.
We must constantly self-evaluate and ask: am I growing and thriving? Am I wasting some of my precious time? Where can I sharpen my focus? In other words, am I staying true, day-by-day, to my mission and calling?
Today, I invite you to take a hard look at your abundance strategy: do you have a clear plan with specific goals? If not, there’s no better time to lay it out and live each day in support of those goals.
Another way to up your financial game is to surround yourself with people who inspire you – those who think big and conquer their dreams, those who focus on their message and keep finding new ways to deliver it to the world. And don’t be afraid to talk about money – it really is the key to all kinds of freedom!
Here’s to raising your ambition and deepening your discipline in 2020!
In health and wholeness,
~Anne and Margaret
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FAQ
These frequently asked questions expand on the article’s key concepts and provide practical guidance for practitioners seeking to build a sustainable, mission-driven business.
Why should nutrition practitioners become more comfortable talking about money?
Talking about money is important because financial stability allows practitioners to sustain their work and continue serving clients. The article emphasizes that earning enough income supports both personal well-being and long-term professional impact. When practitioners can meet their own financial needs, they have greater capacity to help others.
Can limiting beliefs about money affect professional success?
Yes. The article suggests that negative beliefs about money are often inherited and can limit growth if they remain unchallenged. Recognizing these beliefs is an important first step toward building a healthier relationship with money and business success.
How is financial success connected to a practitioner’s mission?
Financial success helps practitioners continue fulfilling the mission that drew them into nutrition in the first place. Rather than conflicting with purpose, adequate income provides the freedom and resources needed to continue serving clients, growing a practice, and expanding outreach.
What is an abundance strategy according to this article?
An abundance strategy is a clear plan for achieving financial and professional goals. The article encourages practitioners to define specific objectives and make daily decisions that consistently support those goals rather than relying on hope alone.
How does time management influence financial success?
The article presents time management as the foundation of financial management. Evaluating how each workday is spent helps ensure that important business activities, personal health, and long-term goals all receive appropriate attention.
What questions should practitioners ask when evaluating how they spend their time?
Practitioners can assess whether their daily routine supports both business success and personal well-being by asking questions such as:
- Do I set and accomplish daily goals?
- Does my schedule support my larger objectives?
- Am I making time for nutrition, movement, relationships, and rest?
- Do I include practices such as meditation or mindfulness?
- Am I intentionally managing my day or simply reacting to it?
Why are measurable goals important for growing a nutrition practice?
Measurable goals create direction and accountability. The article recommends establishing daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual goals with clear metrics so progress can be evaluated rather than relying on hope or good intentions.
How can practitioners tell if they are making meaningful progress?
Regular self-evaluation helps determine whether daily actions align with long-term goals. The article encourages practitioners to ask whether they are growing, using their time wisely, sharpening their focus, and remaining true to their mission.
Why is self-care included as part of business success?
The article identifies personal well-being as an essential part of professional effectiveness. Scheduling time for healthy meals, movement, relationships, adequate rest, and mindfulness supports the energy and focus needed to build a successful practice.
Does surrounding yourself with successful people influence business growth?
Yes. The article recommends intentionally spending time with people who think ambitiously, pursue meaningful goals, and continually find new ways to share their message. A supportive environment can reinforce positive habits and encourage continued growth.
Is hoping for the best enough to build a successful practice?
No. The article argues that sustainable success requires intentional planning, discipline, and consistent action. Setting goals and measuring progress are presented as more effective approaches than relying on chance or good intentions.
How can practitioners begin improving their financial mindset today?
The article recommends starting with a personal assessment of both mindset and daily habits. Practitioners can identify limiting beliefs about money, create clear goals, evaluate how they spend their time, and intentionally build relationships that encourage growth and ambition.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Fischer Silva’s journey in the field of functional nutrition over the last 23 years began in a functional medicine practice, where she learned the power of objective testing. From there she opened her own business, A New Leaf Nutrition, where she built a wait-list distance practice. Anne has taught nutrition courses in Washington, Hawaii, and California, and hosted a radio show, “Health-Wise”, for 3 years. She helped develop the original curriculum for the Nutritional Therapy Association, was a lead instructor with NTA for 8 years, and she continues to lecture nationally on a variety of health topics. Anne founded the Institute of Restorative Health in 2013 with the sole purpose of training other nutrition professionals how to address complex issues with their clients and achieve the same stellar results she gets in her practice.
The core principles Anne built the Institute of Restorative Health upon are the importance of nutrient-dense foods and balancing biochemistry. From there, she looks for the deeper underlying issues by utilizing a variety of testing techniques and customized healing methods to restore optimal function and health.
Anne received her certification in functional nutrition from Advanced Integrated Medical Institute in Washington, DC in 2000 and she is a Master Restorative Health Practitioner and Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.
*In 2022, Anne decided to pursue new and different aspects of holistic wellness and left the Institute of Restorative Health in the hands of her dear friend and business partner, Margaret Floyd Barry.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margaret Floyd Barry, FNTP MRHP is owner and Executive Director of the Institute of Restorative Health. She’s a functional nutritionist, author, speaker, educator, and real food advocate. Through years of experience working with the most complex client cases, including reversing her own autoimmune condition, Margaret uses a powerful system for restoring health by addressing the root cause of illness.
Today, Margaret teaches fellow practitioners the same proven system she uses to get her clients life-changing results through the Institute of Restorative Health – a two-year comprehensive functional nutrition certification program for qualified health professionals. Margaret also runs Restorative Corporate Wellness, a team of Restorative Health Practitioners facilitating health transformations with corporate clients. She is the author of Eat Naked and its follow-up cookbook The Naked Foods Cookbook. She’s also the host of the Clinician’s Corner podcast, where she interviews some of the world’s top experts in the fields of functional health and nutrition.
