From a professional standpoint, I often counsel women on the importance of executive presence which includes physical appearance, communication ability and authentic connection. When I talk about physical appearance, I'm typically referring to charisma and poise. Rarely do I talk about a person's clothing or physical beauty although clearly that is part of it.

If you assumed that being good-looking gives you a career edge, then guess what? You're right. Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor at the University of Texas in Austin, talks about the benefits in his book, Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful.

Attractive people earn three to four percent more than someone with average looks. That's an estimated $230,000 more over the life of a career.

Why do good-looking people have this advantage? Like it or not, good-looking people are perceived to be more charming which means they get hired faster, make more sales and get more raises.

No matter what you look like physically there are things that you can do to enhance your physical appearance. If your goal is to move ahead in your career and make more money then it pays do whatever you can to look good at work.

The bottom line is that someone is going to make more money. At the end of the day, that someone could be you.

What's the price of beauty as it relates to your career? Share your comments here.

P.S. Join me next week and find out the how to embrace the spirit of abundance and put a holiday twist on networking. (Learn More)