Leaving the consolation and wage of a gradual workplace job for the uncertainty of life as a self-employed digital nomad is a big change, each personally and professionally. I did it myself in 2021 once I left my job as a lawyer in London.
General, it was an incredible choice and I’m infinitely happier than I used to be earlier than. However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. It may be arduous at occasions, however in the end, I feel the challenges are well worth the enormous upsides.
Listed below are the steps that helped me go from office-bound and depressing to location-independent and free. The following pointers all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and assist you pull off your individual escape.
Find out how to Plan Your Exit: Going From Workplace Desk to Digital Nomad
Whether or not you’re craving freedom, journey, limitless journey, higher climate, or just a life outdoors the company field (for me, it was all of these issues), right here are some things I extremely suggest you do first. This can assist set your self up for achievement, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Mirror on Your Why and Targets
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you need to turn into a digital nomad. What’s driving this choice? Whether or not it’s the liberty to discover new locations, the prospect to work by yourself phrases, or simply wanting to flee workplace life, understanding your motivation is vital.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized career. I noticed I needed a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep targeted when occasions get powerful.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular nations? Be taught new abilities? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear goals will assist information your selections and preserve you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is without doubt one of the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a stable monetary security internet is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl not less than just a few months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue going ahead.
My enterprise took nearly a yr to start out making any cash. Being in Central America for the primary few months of my nomad life actually helped make the cash I had saved go additional. However, if I hadn’t constructed up a pot of financial savings earlier than I give up my job, I’d’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a finances, minimize pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as doable. You don’t have to have already constructed up a enterprise to the purpose of profitability earlier than you hit the street, however the nearer you’re to this stage, the much less dangerous will probably be.
Develop Distant Work Expertise
One of many issues I really like most about being a digital nomad is the power to journey as a lot as you want. However, prefer it or not, you’ll nonetheless in all probability have to spend a big chunk of your time working – even in case you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people discovered through the pandemic, remote work requires fairly a distinct mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable communication abilities, and the power to handle your time successfully with out having a boss trying over your shoulder.
I discover this a lot simpler working by myself enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how completely different the expertise is. In the event you aren’t already, get conversant in instruments akin to Slack and Groups, and think about taking on-line programs or enrolling in a training program that can assist you upskill.
Analysis Potential Locations
Not all locations are created equal for digital nomads. Some locations (like Thailand and Portugal) are identified for his or her low value of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot in your way of life and finances could make or break your expertise. Have in mind your individual priorities. Would you like year-round sunshine? Quick access to coworking areas? A low-key vibe or a busy social scene? Rural or city? Is the time zone more likely to be a problem?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t must be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, but it surely wasn’t excellent for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and covid on the identical time – tough.
Begin With a Trial Run
Earlier than you give up your job and absolutely decide to the digital nomad way of life, attempt dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run may give you a style of what it’s wish to work remotely whereas touring, with out the stress of creating all the things excellent right away.
I did this by spending a few weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my previous job. My work was nice with me doing it (it was the summer season of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I obtained a style of what digital nomadism can be like earlier than going all in.
This is probably not doable in your present circumstances, however, in case you do get the chance to do a trial run like this, I’d extremely suggest it. It’ll assist you determine what works (and what doesn’t), what tech and equipment you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you’re to working in a non-traditional setting.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the precise tech setup is crucial in terms of engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and comfy) regardless of the place you’re on the planet.
My tech stack contains my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior arduous drive (for backups), common energy adapter, extension cable, and my iPhone (with an eSIM for whichever nation I’m in).
Don’t overlook software program subscriptions, too. I exploit Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and varied search engine marketing and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual record as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad may be isolating at occasions, particularly in case you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, however nonetheless, it may be powerful typically. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, they usually typically don’t relate to issues we battle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a assist community is so necessary. Coworking areas may be nice locations to satisfy different like-minded folks. I’ve made buddies at social occasions organized at coworking areas, each in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and I’m nonetheless in contact with a number of of them to this point.
Don’t underestimate the worth of those relationships. Fellow nomads can share insights about locations they’ve been, suggest instruments that work for them, and even collaborate with you on tasks. It’s additionally nice to have the ability to share your experiences with individuals who “get” it, as your mates from residence won’t.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Distant Goats” teaching program is designed to information you thru the method of turning into a web based entrepreneur and making a location-independent way of life. I want I’d had that type of assist once I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve simply obtained to go for it. Setting a agency exit date will help you keep targeted and offer you one thing to work towards. With no clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” part endlessly.
It is going to seemingly really feel like an incredible leap of religion. And it’ll in all probability be riskier than staying in a steady salaried job. However, there’s additionally the danger of trying again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that will be a far worse end result than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but additionally settle for that not all the things will go completely. And that’s okay – each nomad’s journey is exclusive. Embrace the uncertainty. And keep in mind, if it doesn’t work out, or in case you change your thoughts about what you need, the choice to return to a extra “conventional” life will nonetheless be there.
In Conclusion
Changing into a digital nomad is an enormous choice, however with the precise planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the ideas I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for achievement.
It’s not at all times straightforward, but it surely’s so value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical places of work and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was probably the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. It would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
