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 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 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 provide help to 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 suggest you do first. This may assist set your self up for achievement, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Replicate on Your Why and Objectives
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you wish to develop 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 essential.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized occupation. I noticed I needed a life-style that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep centered when occasions get powerful.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular international locations? 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 maintain you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is likely one of 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 no less than just a few months of dwelling 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 might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a finances, minimize 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 might be 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 most likely 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 throughout the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a special 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 by myself enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how totally different the expertise is. If you happen to aren’t already, get aware of instruments reminiscent of Slack and Groups, and think about 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 identified for his or her low price of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot to your way of life and finances could make or break your expertise. Take into accout your individual 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 problem?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t should be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, nevertheless it wasn’t preferrred for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and the flu on the identical time – tough.
Begin With a Trial Run
Earlier than you stop 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 stress of constructing every thing good right away.
I did this by spending a few weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my previous job. My work was advantageous with me doing it (it was the summer season 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 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 equipment you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you might be to working in a non-traditional surroundings.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the suitable tech setup is crucial in terms of engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and cozy) regardless of the place you might be on this planet.
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 overlook software program subscriptions, too. I exploit Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and varied web optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual checklist as wanted.
Construct a Help Community
Being a digital nomad might be isolating at occasions, particularly in the event 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 usually don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help community is so vital. Coworking areas might be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded individuals. 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 folks from dwelling may not.
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 way of life. I want I’d had that form of help once I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however sooner or later, you’ve simply bought to go for it. Setting a agency exit date may help you keep centered and provide you with one thing to work towards. And not using a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” part without end.
It is going to probably really feel like an amazing leap of religion. And it’ll most likely 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 might be a far worse consequence than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but additionally settle for that not every 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 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 determination, however with the suitable 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 achievement.
It’s not at all times straightforward, nevertheless 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 selections I’ve ever made. It would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
