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 once I left my job as a lawyer in London.
General, it was an incredible resolution and I’m infinitely happier than I used to be earlier than. However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. It may be laborious at occasions, however finally, I believe the challenges are well 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 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 may 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 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 essential.
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 way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to at the present time, and helps me keep centered when occasions get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular international locations? Be taught new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable earnings on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear aims will assist information your choices and maintain 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 stable monetary security internet is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl at the least 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 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 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 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 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 realized throughout the pandemic, remote work requires fairly a distinct 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 completely different the expertise is. For those who 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 perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are tougher.
Choosing the right vacation spot to your life-style and funds could make or break your expertise. Be mindful 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 prone 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 completely gorgeous place, but it surely wasn’t ideally suited 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 stop 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 wish to work remotely whereas touring, with out the stress of creating every little thing good 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 advantageous 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 could be like earlier than going all in.
This will not be attainable 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 kit you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you’re to working in a non-traditional atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the proper tech setup is important in terms 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 earth.
My tech stack consists of my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior laborious 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 website positioning and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal record as wanted.
Construct a Help 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 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 battle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help community is so necessary. 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 so 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 “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 in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve simply bought to go for it. Setting a agency exit date will help you keep centered and offer you one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” section ceaselessly.
It should seemingly really feel like an incredible leap of religion. And it’ll in all probability be riskier than staying in a steady salaried job. However, there’s additionally the chance 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 figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but in addition settle for that not every little thing 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
Changing into a digital nomad is a giant resolution, 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 achievement.
It’s not at all times simple, but it surely’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’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
