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 after I left my job as a lawyer in London.
Total, 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 exhausting at instances, however finally, I feel the challenges are definitely worth the enormous upsides.
Listed below 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 exterior 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 fulfillment, 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 resolution? 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 essential.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized career. I noticed I needed a life-style that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to today, and helps me keep targeted when instances get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular nations? Be taught new abilities? A brand new language? Create a sustainable earnings on-line? Construct a mighty business empire? Having clear goals will assist information your selections and hold you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is among 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 at the least a couple of months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took almost a year 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 might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a funds, lower pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as potential. You don’t have to have already constructed up a enterprise to the purpose of profitability earlier than you hit the highway, however the nearer you might be 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 power to journey as a lot as you want. However, prefer it or not, you’ll nonetheless in all probability have to 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 realized throughout the pandemic, remote 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. In the event you aren’t already, get accustomed to instruments reminiscent of Slack and Groups, and think about taking online courses or enrolling in a coaching program that will help 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 dwelling, lightning-fast internet, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are tougher.
Choosing the right vacation spot in your life-style and funds could make or break your expertise. Consider your individual priorities. Would you like year-round sunshine? Quick access to coworking spaces? A low-key vibe or a busy social scene? Rural or city? Is the time zone more likely to be a problem?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t must be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico after I first began out. It’s a fully beautiful place, however it wasn’t best 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 absolutely 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 all the things 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 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 potential in your present circumstances, however, in the event 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 kit you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you might be to working in a non-traditional atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the appropriate 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 might be 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 take advantage of Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and numerous SEO and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual checklist as wanted.
Construct a Help Community
Being a digital nomad may 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 associates are 1,000s of miles away, they usually typically don’t relate to issues we wrestle 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 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 residence 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 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 can assist you keep targeted and offer you one thing to work towards. And not using a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” part eternally.
It should probably 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 danger of trying again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that will be a far worse final result than my enterprise not understanding.
Belief in your planning, but additionally settle for that not all the things 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 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
Changing 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 guidelines I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
It’s not at all times straightforward, 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 decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
