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In January 2020, I moved into the home I live in now, a peaceful little place across from a country park.
That first week, Leo was with his Dad, so I had the place to myself and I remember sitting on the floor in the living room floor with a glass of Rioja feeling incredibly grateful...
But also thinking I better get a wiggle on and furnish the place because in March, My wife (then girlfriend) was flying over to see if our relationship would work in real life, not just long distance.
Two weeks after she arrived, the world came to an abrupt halt and we got locked down together.
What was meant to be a test, turned into an entire summer spent playing in the pool, drinking margaritas, doing daily livestreams on Facebook, watching the Tiger King, showing up for my (then) mastermind clients and teaching Leo to ride his bike.
And for the first time in my entire life, I felt peace.
Not the "two-week holiday" kind.
The kind that sinks into your bones and says “This is what it’s meant to feel like.”
Everything clicked for me in that forced slow down and it is when I remembered that this was supposed to be the whole point.
Not the income milestones, the fancy sh*t or the endless proving i'd spent the last decade chasing.
It was during this time that I made myself a promise:
I would never build a business that cost me the very life I was trying to create it for again and I started pondering the figures that would protect and future proof my peace.
Once I had that number, I stopped chasing arbitrary goals and started building with intention.
Here’s how you can calculate yours...
Start with what it takes to live.
This is about getting clear on what your current life truly costs: your rent or mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, childcare, debt repayments and insurance. Ya know, The boring, consistent expenses that keep your life running. Most people either underestimate this or avoid it entirely but getting honest here is where stability begins.
Ask yourself: What does it take to feel stable month to month?
Now look at what it takes to live well.
This is where your life comes into focus, not just your bills. Think: coffee dates, gym memberships, spontaneous Friday plans, good food, skincare that makes you feel human, books that make you think, weekends away that help you reset. The things that make your life feel rich. When we don’t name these things, we build a business, but a starved life.
Ask yourself: What do I want to be able to say yes to, without guilt or financial strain?
Don’t forget your future.
Your enough number isn’t complete without savings, retirement and tax buffers. This category isn’t just about building long-term wealth though. It’s also what gives you breathing room when life happens. Slow seasons. Sick days. Tech meltdowns. Mental health breaks. Set yourself up now so your future isn’t built on hope and hustle.
Ask yourself: What would future me thank me for setting aside every month?
Put it all together.
Add it up. Essentials + ideal lifestyle + future = This is your enough number.
For us, it’s £8,200/month and I can't stress this enough, this isn't my ceiling and i'm not setting limitations.
It is just the number that allows me to live, give, save and work without guilt or hustle.
Once I knew this number, I could finally start designing a business that funds the life I actually want...
Not the one I was taught to idolise.
In a nutshell...
Knowing your enough number gives you a line in the sand...
Not between success and failure, But between what you'll allow and what you won’t.
It'll help you stop making decisions based on pressure, urgency or ego.
And start making them based on alignment, truth and capacity.
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