Leaving the consolation and wage of a gradual 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 choice 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 feel the challenges are definitely worth the large upsides.
Listed below 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 provide help to pull off your personal escape.
The 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 suggest 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 change into a digital nomad. What’s driving this choice? 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 spotted I wished a way of life 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 robust.
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 targets will assist information your choices 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 strong monetary security web is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl no less than a number of months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue going ahead.
My enterprise took virtually a 12 months to start out 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’d’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a finances, 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 street, however the nearer you’re to this stage, the much less dangerous will probably be.
Develop Distant Work Abilities
One of many issues I 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 most likely must spend a big chunk of your time working – even should you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people discovered through the pandemic, distant 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 wanting over your shoulder.
I discover this a lot simpler working by myself enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how completely different the expertise is. When you aren’t already, get acquainted with instruments similar to 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 identified for his or her low value of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are more difficult.
Selecting the correct vacation spot to your way of life and finances could make or break your expertise. Remember 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 need to be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico after I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, but it surely 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 give up your job and totally decide to the digital nomad way of life, 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 constructing the whole lot 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 high quality 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 can be like earlier than going all in.
This might not be potential in your present circumstances, however, should 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 surroundings.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the precise 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 cozy) irrespective 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 numerous website positioning and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal listing as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad might be isolating at occasions, particularly should you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my companion, however nonetheless, it may be robust typically. 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 assist community is so vital. Coworking areas might be nice locations to satisfy 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 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 initiatives. It’s additionally nice to have the ability to share your experiences with individuals who “get” it, as your pals from residence may not.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Creator Kickstarter Program” is designed to information you thru the method of turning into a web-based entrepreneur and making a location-independent way of life. I want I’d had that sort of assist after 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 will help you keep centered and provide you with one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” part ceaselessly.
It is going to seemingly 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 chance of wanting again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that might be a far worse end result than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but additionally 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 should 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 a giant choice, however with the precise 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 at all times simple, but it surely’s so value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was top-of-the-line decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
