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 instances, 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 pointers all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and aid you pull off your individual escape.
How you 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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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 grow 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 vital.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized career. I spotted I needed a life-style that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to at the present time, and helps me keep centered when instances get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you wish 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 goals will assist information your choices 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 at the very least a number of 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 give up my job, I might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a price range, lower 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 highway, however the nearer you’re 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 in the event you 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, strong 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. In the event you aren’t already, get accustomed to instruments equivalent to 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 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 on your way of life and price range could make or break your expertise. Take note 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 prone to be a problem?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t must be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, nevertheless it 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 give up your job and totally 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 prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of creating the whole lot excellent immediately.
I did this by spending a few weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my outdated job. My work was high quality with me doing it (it was the summer time of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I bought a style of what digital nomadism can be like earlier than going all in.
This will not be 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 kit you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you’re to working in a non-traditional surroundings.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the suitable tech setup is important in the case of engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and cozy) irrespective of the place you’re on the earth.
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 search engine marketing and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual listing as wanted.
Construct a Help Community
Being a digital nomad will be isolating at instances, particularly in the event you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, however nonetheless, it may be robust generally. Most of our mates 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 will 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 house may not.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Creator Kickstarter Program” is designed to information you thru the method of turning into an internet 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 bought to go for it. Setting a agency exit date might help you keep centered and provide you with one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” section without end.
It is going to probably really feel like an incredible 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 end 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 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
Turning 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 guidelines I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for achievement.
It’s not at all times straightforward, nevertheless it’s so price it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was among the best selections I’ve ever made. It would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.