Working and earning money while traveling around the world used to be a pipe dream for many people. However, the coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we perceive work and made it easier for people to stop sacrificing their love of adventure for their office job.
The number of people who call themselves location-independent professionals is on the rise. But not all aspiring digital nomads know how to transition from an office life of routine and everyday familiarity to a work style full of uncertainty and unexpected experiences.
In this guide, we'll take a look at the best practices that can help you become a successful digital nomad.
But before we dive in, ask yourself this important question.
Is life as a digital nomad for me?
Digital nomadism is a popular trend, but it's not for everyone. Some people prefer to live in one place, have a full-time job, go to the office or work from a fixed location, and have financial and career security. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone has different interests and priorities.
When you consider the potential pros and cons of being a slow-traveling remote worker, you can make a more informed decision about your preferred lifestyle. So here it is.
Possible advantages
- Freedom
- Flexibility
- Less stress
- You're in charge of your work-life balance
- Less time commuting to work
- The possibility of exploring the world
- More time for creativity
- Personal development
- A more interesting work environment
- Higher job satisfaction
- More new experiences
- You can dress comfortably
- Increased motivation
Possible disadvantages
- Homesickness
- Feeling of isolation
- Missing out on important family events
- No guaranteed income
- Problems with language
- Feeling of job insecurity and uncertainty
You need to be honest with yourself and weigh the pros and cons of the digital nomad lifestyle.
Here are some more questions that can help you figure out if this lifestyle is for you:
- Do you love travel and adventure?
- Do you dream of making money online?
- Do you have digital skills?
- Do you have creative digital ideas?
- Do you have a solid business plan?
- Are you a tech-savvy person?
- Do you embrace uncertainty, ambiguity, and new experiences?
- Are you confident in your ability to handle new challenges?
If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, you'll most likely become a successful digital nomad. Even if you're not sure if digital nomadism is a smart career choice, you can always try it out for a few months to see if you like it.
Now, let's get acquainted with the best practices that can make you a globe-trotting professional.
Find your passion and improve your skills
With the digital tools at our disposal, you can easily turn your knowledge and skills into money while traveling the world. Even if you don't have any particular skills right now, you can always learn new skills by taking online courses.
Just don't forget to choose a path that you enjoy because if you don't like what you do, you'll get burned out quickly. Some digital nomads also don't put all their eggs in one basket and create multiple sources of income for themselves.
Remote jobs you can do online as a freelancer, entrepreneur, or employee include programming, digital marketing, graphic design, web development, customer support, copywriting, communications, and teaching.
Don't burn your bridges
If you're still in the process of figuring out whether or not life as a digital nomad is for you, don't burn your bridges, unless you truly believe that starting over is the best option for you.
For example, if you want to quit a well-paying job at a company, it's better to explain your decision to your employer and make sure you don't leave on a bitter note. This way, you have the option to return to your old job if you realize after a while that the nomadic life isn't what you're looking for.
Separate your work from your personal life
Hundreds of thousands of articles have been written about the importance of a healthy work-life balance. If you want to live a happy life and advance in your career, you should learn how to draw a line between your work and your personal life.
The following tips can help you switch off from work more easily and enjoy a higher quality of life as a result:
- Work in a co-working space,
- Create a schedule that includes "social blocks" and stick to it,
- Develop a routine.
Choose the right destination
The destination you choose can have a big impact on how you perceive life as a digital nomad, especially if you're just starting out. So do your research to pick the right destination.
There are several factors you should consider such as your budget, the cost and ease of living in your potential destination, Internet connectivity, and visa requirements.
Stay in one place for a while
One of the biggest benefits of being a digital nomad is the freedom and flexibility to travel. However, constant travel could quickly burn you out and rob you of the joy of getting to know your destination better.
Three weeks to three months is an ideal amount of time to understand the culture of your temporary home, develop a productive routine, and make the most of your stay. And in case you're concerned about your things back home, check out these tips on how you can protect your home while being away.
Find a community
A sense of loneliness can overtake you if you don't find a community of like-minded people to mingle with. Belonging to a community not only improves your overall well-being, but also opens up networking opportunities that can positively impact your professional life.
Give back to the local community
Many digital nomads find it rewarding to contribute to the local community in which they live. For example, by volunteering to clean beaches or hosting educational workshops for children.
The social experience of being a digital nomad is just as important as the work experience, if not more so. You can learn a lot by immersing yourself in a new culture.
Communicate consistently and effectively
Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, or employee, it's important to communicate consistently and effectively with your colleagues and clients so that no important message is missed and no project is delayed because you weren't available. Remember that freedom and flexibility don't mean a lack of accountability and discipline.
Leverage technology
It goes without saying that tech-savvy digital nomads are in high demand and can make more money than those who are unfamiliar with the latest tech solutions that can help them get their work done more quickly and efficiently.
Make sure you have all the tools you need to build a system for your business and streamline as many processes as possible. Also, learn to use them effectively. It's an investment of time, money, and energy that you shouldn't take lightly.
Work on your personal growth
Digital nomadism will present you with unique challenges and unforeseen circumstances. You should have the necessary technical skills as well as the soft skills and mental strength to deal with any unexpected situation.
That's why it's important that you invest in yourself to be as prepared as possible and overcome any potential challenges along the way.
Start packing
There's never been a better time to become a digital nomad as remote professionals are more in demand than ever. Starting a new lifestyle can be intimidating, but we assure you that you won't regret the move. Remember, you only live once!
