Leaving the consolation and wage of a gentle 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 after I left my job as a lawyer in London.
General, 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 onerous at occasions, however in the end, I believe the challenges are well worth the big upsides.
Listed here 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 pull off your individual escape.
The 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 suggest you do first. This may assist set your self up for achievement, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Replicate on Your Why and Objectives
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 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 needed a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to today, and helps me keep centered when occasions get powerful.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular nations? Study new abilities? A brand new language? Create a sustainable earnings 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 components of being a freelancer. That’s why making a strong monetary security web is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl at the very least just a few months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took virtually a yr to begin 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 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 it is going to 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 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 realized throughout the pandemic, remote work requires fairly a special mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, strong communication abilities, 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. In the event you aren’t already, get accustomed to 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 identified for his or her low price of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot to your life-style and funds could make or break your expertise. Take into account 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 need to be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico after I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, however it wasn’t supreme 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 life-style, strive dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run can provide you a style of what it’s wish to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of constructing every little thing excellent right away.
I did this by spending a few weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my outdated job. My work was tremendous 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 will not be attainable in your present circumstances, however, for those who 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 appropriate tech setup is important relating to engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and cozy) regardless of the place you’re on this planet.
My tech stack consists of my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior onerous 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 take advantage of 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 for those who’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be powerful typically. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, they usually usually don’t relate to issues we battle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help 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, 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 folks from dwelling won’t.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Distant Goats” teaching 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 help after I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however sooner or later, you’ve simply obtained to go for it. Setting a agency exit date may also help you keep centered and provide you with one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” section without end.
It can probably 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 might be a far worse end result than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but additionally settle for that not every little 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
Turning into a digital nomad is an enormous resolution, however with the appropriate 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, however it’s so price it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical places of work and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was among the finest selections I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.
