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.
Total, it was a tremendous choice 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 believe the challenges are definitely worth the large 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 show you how to 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. It will assist set your self up for fulfillment, 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 change 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 occupation. I noticed I needed a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to today, and helps me keep targeted when occasions get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular nations? Study new abilities? A brand new language? Create a sustainable earnings on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear targets will assist information your selections and hold you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is likely one of the worst components of being a freelancer. That’s why making a strong monetary security internet is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl no less than a couple of months of residing bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took virtually 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 stop my job, I’d’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a funds, lower pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as attainable. You don’t must 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 will probably be.
Develop Distant Work Abilities
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 most likely must spend a big chunk of your time working – even should 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, strong 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 totally different the expertise is. If you happen to aren’t already, get acquainted with instruments reminiscent of Slack and Groups, and take into account 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 recognized for his or her low value of residing, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are tougher.
Choosing the right vacation spot to your life-style and funds could make or break your expertise. Be mindful 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 prone to be a difficulty?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t should be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, but it surely wasn’t superb 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 life-style, 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 constructing the whole lot good 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 fantastic 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 attainable in your present circumstances, however, should 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 proper tech setup is crucial in the case of 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 the 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 numerous website positioning 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 should you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my companion, however nonetheless, it may be robust generally. Most of our associates are 1,000s of miles away, and so they typically don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a assist community is so vital. Coworking areas may be nice locations to satisfy different like-minded folks. I’ve made associates 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, 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 dwelling won’t.
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 life-style. 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 will help you keep targeted and provide you with one thing to work towards. With no clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” part ceaselessly.
It is going to possible really feel like an amazing leap of religion. And it’ll most likely be riskier than staying in a steady salaried job. However, there’s additionally the chance of trying again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that will be a far worse consequence than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but in addition settle for that not the whole lot 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 should 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 choice, however with the proper planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the guidelines I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for fulfillment.
It’s not at all times straightforward, but it surely’s so value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was probably the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
