Leaving the consolation and wage of a gradual 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.
General, it was an incredible determination 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 definitely worth the enormous upsides.
Listed here 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 aid you pull off your individual escape.
The right way 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 advocate 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 wish to develop into a digital nomad. What’s driving this determination? 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 occupation. I noticed I wished a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to at the present time, and helps me keep centered when occasions get robust.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular nations? Be taught new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear goals will assist information your selections and maintain you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is among the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a stable monetary security web is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl at the very least a couple of months of residing bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue going ahead.
My enterprise took nearly a 12 months to start out 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, minimize pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as potential. You don’t must have already constructed up a enterprise to the purpose of profitability earlier than you hit the street, however the nearer you might be 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 flexibility to journey as a lot as you want. However, prefer it or not, you’ll nonetheless in all probability must spend a big chunk of your time working – even for those who can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people discovered in the course of the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a special 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 alone enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how totally different the expertise is. When you aren’t already, get conversant in instruments resembling Slack and Groups, and think about 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 perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are tougher.
Selecting the correct vacation spot in your way of life and funds could make or break your expertise. Remember 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 difficulty?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t should be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, however it wasn’t ideally suited for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and the flu on the similar time – tough.
Begin With a Trial Run
Earlier than you stop 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 strain of constructing every thing 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 high quality 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 could be like earlier than going all in.
This is probably not potential in your present circumstances, however, for those who 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 might be to working in a non-traditional setting.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the suitable tech setup is important on the subject of engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and cozy) irrespective of the place you might be 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 website positioning and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual checklist as wanted.
Construct a Help Community
Being a digital nomad may be isolating at occasions, particularly for those who’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my companion, however nonetheless, it may be robust generally. Most of our mates are 1,000s of miles away, and so they usually don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help community is so essential. Coworking areas may be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded folks. I’ve made mates 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 initiatives. It’s additionally nice to have the ability to share your experiences with individuals who “get” it, as your pals from residence may not.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Creator Kickstarter Program” is designed to information you thru the method of changing into a web based entrepreneur and making a location-independent way of life. I want I’d had that type of help 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 can assist you keep centered and offer you one thing to work towards. With no clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” section endlessly.
It’s going to doubtless really feel like an amazing leap of religion. And it’ll in all probability be riskier than staying in a secure 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 final result than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but in addition settle for that not every thing will go completely. And that’s okay – each nomad’s journey is exclusive. Embrace the uncertainty. And bear in mind, if it doesn’t work out, or for those who 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 determination, 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 at all times simple, however it’s so value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was among the best decisions I’ve ever made. It would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
