Your Survival Number | You need A “Floor” Before You Can Reach the Ceiling

SEASON 18 BONUS RESOURCE

The Survival Number: The Ultimate Predictor of Business Longevity

Bonus Resource Notes: I have put these briefing notes together to support the upcoming episodes of Season 18. In the world of self-employment, we are constantly bombarded with talk about six-figure years and scaling to the moon, but I have realized that you cannot build a skyscraper on a swamp.

In this guide, I am talking about your Survival Number. I have documented my own journey from a 9-5 role to becoming the Director of my own company, and I have found that this one simple calculation is the ultimate foundation for anyone navigating a career transition.

A quick tip from me: I give significantly more context and personal stories in the full podcast recordings than you will get from these notes alone. I highly encourage you to watch or listen to the season to get the full picture!

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Key Takeaways

The Floor: Your Survival Number is the absolute bare minimum needed each month to cover essential personal and business expenses.
The Power of No: Knowing your “floor” gives you the superpower to reject nightmare clients and avoid underpricing out of desperation.
Pre-Paying Life: If you earn £10,000 in a month and your survival number is £2,500, you have effectively “pre-paid” for three months of your life.
CEO Mindset: This calculation moves you from being a “worker” trading time for money to a “Director” who manages resources.

Listen to the Season

Catch every episode of Season 18 on your preferred platform:

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The Survival Framework

One of the core lessons I wanted to get across in these bonus notes is that you cannot build a skyscraper on a swamp. I have found in my 18 years of business that most solopreneurs live in a state of perpetual hustle because they do not know their “floor.”

I also dive into the CEO Mindset Shift, which was a major turning point for me when I was moving away from my office role. Freedom in the UK solo-business world is not about escaping work: it is about having the financial clarity to choose which work is actually worth your time. You can read more about my background as Zulfiqar Ali here if you want to see the full timeline of how I built this.

How to Calculate Your Number:

  • Personal Essentials: Mortgage or rent, council tax, basic groceries, and essential transport.
  • Business Essentials: Software subscriptions, insurance, and accountancy fees.
  • The Tax Buffer: Never calculate your survival number without adding at least 20 to 30 percent for th

I’m Zulf, Managing Director of Trusted Creators and the voice behind the ZulfTalks Podcast. With 18 years in the trenches building my own business I don’t just talk the talk I walk the walk. I’ve built real-world brands and networks that bridge the gap between creative content and scalable business. I share this all free In My 3 Step Success Journey and my Prove in my podcast. I share real actionable, no-fluff insights to help you to Work for Yourself. From working at BNP Paribas Data Production Analysis to leading Amazon Live sessions, I’ve learned first hand what it takes to be your own boss. I want you to avoid the mistakes I made. STOP WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE and start Working For yourself.