To Create your Life by Design – You have to Know Your WHY.

Why do you want an online business? and then  

to create a budget for that lifestyle, what does that new Life look and feel like? 

Updates  

In a previous post, I worked on exercises my mentor Dean laid out in his book, The Iceberg Effect. 

• Exercise 1. Dig Deep to discover why you want to develop an online business. And
• Exercise 2. Put together a budget with no expenses spared of that vision. 

Exercise one is in a previous post, The Quest: The Vision, the Mission, the Purpose, and the Why.

The Process

 In that first exercise, each time I asked and answered the question with WHY. I uncovered a deeper layer of why. 

Finally, a wish emerges from the depths of my being…..

I want to make a difference! 

Make a Difference is the dream to develop a well-being retreat in Jamaica!

• This exercise brings to the surface what may be a wish or a deep-seated desire.
• Money is no object in this exercise, so it seemed a simple job, yet not. 
• I noticed that I had a clearer picture of what I wanted than I thought.

The Life By Design Budget Experience

Knowing WHY you want an online business, and then creating a Life-by-design budget is to capture the motivation, the drive behind WHAT you do and HOW you do it.  

Dean acknowledges that he did not take the time to do these exercises, but in retrospect, he wished he had.  

 In our coaching and training session this week, we were given homework. To put together a budget for our daily lives. (will come back to this one at the end)

Knowing I had to create a budget, was difficult to get started, and even though it was what my dream life looked like, I still procrastinated.  

When you put your ideas/goals to paper the dynamics change.

I was finally able to sit down and focus, and after pressing forward to overcome my budget phobia, it turned into a wild adventure!!

The first step in creating a budget for this well-being and educational retreat in the Caribbean, I  began searching online for properties in Port Antonia and the Parish of Portland where my mom was born and grew up, but I have never visited.

I feel sad that I missed the opportunity to have traveled there with her.  

My Blue Mountains Well-Being Retreat 

The retreat is near or has a view of the Blue Mountains. 

I see myself in the early quiet morning, feeling a breeze, sitting on the verandah with a cup of Blue Mountain coffee…..

I found YouTube videos of driving through the Blue Mountains. It’s breathtaking.

I love the sea, especially in Jamaica.  but the retreat needs to be at least one acre nestled in the green.

 1. Below is a 5-acre plot in Portland for 350,000 USD.

So far there are houses with little land or land without a home or needs repair.   

2. The property below needs a lot of work and is on the market for 450,000 USD.  It is 1.8 acres but read the description below and look at the potential!

“Nestled in the lush green paradise of San San, Portland is this incomplete boutique hotel of 15-20 rooms with lots of land for additional rooms. … with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by a tropical bird sanctuary. It is prime for Eco-Tourism, a private retreat, or a beautiful residential home … The amenities within the area include San San beach, the Blue Lagoon, rafting on the Rio Grande, shopping, Boston Jerk Centre, and Health Centre, and only (15) minutes from the town of Port Antonio.”  

There are also farms at the top end of my imaginary budget of $3,000,000USD

Hope Bay

I am beginning to suspect why my middle name is Hope. 

It turns out that Hope is in Portland, that is

Hope Bay is in Portland. 

 3. Look at this property.  It is $166,351.00 with 5 Beds and 5 Baths.  This is the view.

“Nestled along the riverfront, this residence offers a serene escape.”  

Nice size, read the description below. 

“Discover the perfect blend of nature in this 5-bed, 5-bath investment property. Nestled along the riverfront, this residence offers a serene escape… Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of the river that gracefully runs through the front of the property, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere.

4. Also in Hope Bay, there is the HERMITAGE FARM for $95,809.85 which is an “exquisite beachfront property, nestled on a quarter-acre lot, is a haven of tranquility and natural splendor. Picture-perfect, it boasts a meandering stream flowing through its lush landscape, gracefully leading to a serene river that merges effortlessly with the azure Caribbean Sea. The enchanting Somerset Falls is only 1 minute away, and for the adventurous at heart, in 5 minutes you can be rafting on the majestic Rio Grande!“

There does not seem to be any structure/house on the land nor is it as big as I had originally considered but it is in Hope Bay so at least it gives me a direction to go.

Lessons Learned

When the property description says ‘nestled‘, I’m all in!

We’re coming to the end of this part of the exercise.   It was a deceptively simple exercise, but it was also a journey.

Blindsided by the emotions that would come as a result of this process and I guess that is the purpose of this exercise. 

Taking the time to think deeply about what brings us joy, peace, happiness, and connection.

Memories In The Corners of My Mind

That was a lot to go through and I will need some time to process it but thinking of my mom and family, and those ancestors we have lost.  I wonder how we can honor their memory.

Much of our ancient rituals are gone, but now more than ever we need to recognize how important they were and each of us to each other.

Life Cycles

I think what is important is that each cycle in our lives needs to be acknowledged and valued. From birth, child, teenager, youth, young person, middle-aged, elders, and death.  

The passing of time and rites of passage allow us to appreciate the small steps we take.

This project will work towards becoming a well-being and educational retreat. This process will bring more memories of sadness and joy. All of this will help me to envision and create what our program will look like.

The Budgetary Needs

The retreat must feel spacious, with solitude, a forest, and near the sea.

I now understand the why of the location and where to house a retreat in the land of my mother in an area called Hope Bay.

I am getting an understanding of the numbers. The properties I am looking at range from $100,000 at a minimum to 1,000,000 dollars.

I have set 2 million to be at the top end of my budget.

 Life By Design and a Current Expenditures budget headings

I leave you with the budget headings that can be used with your Life By Design Budget and/or for your current monthly outgoings and expenditures. 

Leave out the headings that apply and add others that you may need. 

Dean’s budget headings for a Life By Design Experience are Mortgage/Rent, Car/Lease, Utilities, Insurance, Food, Travel, and Entertainment.

I also include Education, Clothing, and Miscellaneous.

The purpose of this exercise is to arrive at a specific monthly figure to work out your annual figure. That becomes the number you will focus on.

These headings can also be used for your current expenditures budget.  

Eleanor

Subscribe to my newsletter to follow my journey, and get the latest updates, gifts, and much more.