Leaving the consolation and wage of a gentle workplace job for the uncertainty of life as a self-employed digital nomad is a large change, each personally and professionally. I did it myself in 2021 once I left my job as a lawyer in London.
Total, it was a tremendous resolution and I’m infinitely happier than I used to be earlier than. However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. It may be exhausting at occasions, however in the end, I feel the challenges are well worth the big upsides.
Listed below are the steps that helped me go from office-bound and depressing to location-independent and free. The following tips all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and assist you to pull off your individual escape.
How one can 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 advocate you do first. This can assist set your self up for achievement, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Replicate on Your Why and Targets
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you need to grow to be a digital nomad. What’s driving this resolution? Whether or not it’s the liberty to discover new locations, the possibility 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 occupation. I spotted I wished a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep centered when occasions get powerful.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular nations? Be taught new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable earnings on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear targets will assist information your choices and hold you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is likely one of the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a stable monetary security web is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl no less than just a few months of residing bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took nearly a yr to begin making any cash. Being in Central America for the primary few months of my nomad life definitely helped make the cash I had saved go additional. However, if I hadn’t constructed up a pot of financial savings earlier than I stop my job, I might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a funds, reduce pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as potential. You don’t have to have already constructed up a enterprise to the purpose of profitability earlier than you hit the highway, however the nearer you’re to this stage, the much less dangerous it will likely be.
Develop Distant Work Abilities
One of many issues I like most about being a digital nomad is the flexibility 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 the event you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people realized in the course of the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a unique mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable communication expertise, and the flexibility to handle your time successfully with out having a boss wanting over your shoulder.
I discover this a lot simpler working by myself enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how totally different the expertise is. For those who aren’t already, get accustomed to instruments comparable to Slack and Groups, and take into account taking on-line programs or enrolling in a training program that will help you upskill.
Analysis Potential Locations
Not all locations are created equal for digital nomads. Some locations (like Thailand and Portugal) are recognized for his or her low value of residing, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are tougher.
Selecting the correct vacation spot to your way of life and funds could make or break your expertise. Have in mind your individual priorities. Would you like year-round sunshine? Easy accessibility 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 need to be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, nevertheless it wasn’t best for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and the flu on the identical time – tough.
Begin With a Trial Run
Earlier than you stop your job and totally decide to the digital nomad way of life, strive dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run may give you a style of what it’s prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of creating all the things excellent immediately.
I did this by spending a few weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my previous job. My work was high quality with me doing it (it was the summer season of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I received a style of what digital nomadism could be like earlier than going all in.
This is probably not potential in your present circumstances, however, in the event you do get the chance to do a trial run like this, I’d extremely advocate 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 suitable tech setup is important with regards to engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and comfy) regardless of the place you’re on this planet.
My tech stack contains my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior exhausting 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 web optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual listing as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad might be isolating at occasions, particularly in the event you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, however nonetheless, it may be powerful generally. 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 essential. Coworking areas might be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded individuals. 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 thus far.
Don’t underestimate the worth of those relationships. Fellow nomads can share insights about locations they’ve been, advocate 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 folks from residence won’t.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Creator Kickstarter Program” is designed to information you thru the method of changing into an internet 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 sooner or later, you’ve simply received to go for it. Setting a agency exit date might help you keep centered and provide you with one thing to work towards. With no clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” part without end.
It should possible 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 wanting again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that may 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 the event 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 a giant resolution, however with the suitable planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the information I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for achievement.
It’s not all the time simple, nevertheless it’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 the most effective decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.
