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.
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 believe the challenges are well 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 tips all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and allow you to pull off your personal 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 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 Objectives
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you wish to turn out to be a digital nomad. What’s driving this determination? 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 essential.
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 offers 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 wish to see particular nations? Study new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear targets 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 strong monetary security web is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl a minimum of a couple of months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue 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 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 give up my job, I might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a finances, reduce pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as doable. 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’re to this stage, the much less dangerous it will likely 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 if you happen to can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people discovered throughout the pandemic, remote work requires fairly a distinct mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, strong communication expertise, and the flexibility to handle your time successfully with out having a boss trying 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 accustomed to instruments resembling 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 price of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are tougher.
Choosing the right vacation spot on your life-style and finances could make or break your expertise. Take note your personal 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 must be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a fully 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 similar time – tough.
Begin With a Trial Run
Earlier than you give up your job and totally decide to the digital nomad life-style, attempt dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run can provide you a style of what it’s prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the stress of creating the whole lot good 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 effective with me doing it (it was the summer time 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 doable in your present circumstances, however, if you happen to 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 with regards to engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and cozy) irrespective of the place you’re on the earth.
My tech stack consists of 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 neglect software program subscriptions, too. I exploit Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and numerous search engine marketing and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal record as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad may be isolating at occasions, particularly if you happen to’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be powerful generally. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, and so they typically don’t relate to issues we battle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help community is so vital. 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 folks from dwelling may not.
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 once 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 might help you keep targeted and provide you with one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” part eternally.
It’ll possible 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 chance of trying 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 understanding.
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 if you happen to 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 a giant determination, however with the precise 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, 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 top-of-the-line selections I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.