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.
Total, it was a tremendous 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 finally, I believe the challenges are definitely 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 enable you 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 fulfillment, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Replicate on Your Why and Targets
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you wish to turn into a digital nomad. What’s driving this determination? 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 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 instances get powerful.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular international locations? Study new abilities? 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 among the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a stable monetary security internet is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl a minimum of a number of months of residing bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue going ahead.
My enterprise took nearly a 12 months 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 stop my job, I’d’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a price range, 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 Abilities
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 case you 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, stable 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 alone enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how completely different the expertise is. In case 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 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 residing, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are tougher.
Selecting the correct vacation spot to your life-style and price range could make or break your expertise. Bear in mind your personal 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 should be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico after I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, however it wasn’t best 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 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 prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the stress of constructing every part 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 nice with me doing it (it was the summer season of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I received a style of what digital nomadism can be like earlier than going all in.
This might not be doable in your present circumstances, however, in case 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’re to working in a non-traditional setting.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the correct tech setup is crucial on the subject of engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and comfy) regardless of the place you’re on this planet.
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 neglect software program subscriptions, too. I exploit Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and numerous web optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal checklist as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad may be isolating at instances, particularly in case you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be powerful 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 essential. Coworking areas may be nice locations to fulfill 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 up to now.
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 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 “Distant Goats” teaching program is designed to information you thru the method of turning into a web based entrepreneur and making a location-independent life-style. I want I’d had that sort of help after I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve simply received to go for it. Setting a agency exit date may help you keep centered and offer you one thing to work towards. And not using a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” part eternally.
It would probably really feel like an amazing 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 wanting again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that will be a far worse end result than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but additionally settle for that not every part 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 case 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 a giant determination, however with the correct planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the ideas I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for fulfillment.
It’s not at all times simple, however 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 the most effective decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
