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.
Total, it was a tremendous choice 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 feel the challenges are definitely worth the big 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 personal escape.
The right way 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 advocate you do first. It will assist set your self up for achievement, 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 choice? 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 noticed I needed a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep targeted when occasions get powerful.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular nations? Be taught new abilities? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear aims will assist information your choices and preserve 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 strong monetary security internet is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl at the very least a couple of 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 funds, 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 it is going to be.
Develop Distant Work Abilities
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 must spend a big chunk of your time working – even when you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people discovered through the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a special 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 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 akin to Slack and Groups, and contemplate 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 price of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are tougher.
Choosing the right vacation spot on your life-style and funds could make or break your expertise. Take into account 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 more likely to be a difficulty?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t should be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, nevertheless it wasn’t supreme 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 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 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 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 obtained a style of what digital nomadism could be like earlier than going all in.
This might not be potential in your present circumstances, however, when 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 atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the appropriate tech setup is crucial with regards to engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and comfy) irrespective of the place you’re on the 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 take advantage of Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and numerous search engine optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal record as wanted.
Construct a Help Community
Being a digital nomad could be isolating at occasions, particularly when 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 pals 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 essential. Coworking areas could be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded individuals. I’ve made pals 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 mates from residence won’t.
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 life-style. I want I’d had that sort of help once I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve simply obtained to go for it. Setting a agency exit date may help you keep targeted and provide you with one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” section perpetually.
It’ll possible 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 will be a far worse end result than my enterprise not figuring out.
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 when 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 choice, however with the appropriate planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the information I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for achievement.
It’s not all the time simple, nevertheless it’s so value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical places of work and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was top-of-the-line selections I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
