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 an incredible choice 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 well 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 pointers all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and assist you pull off your individual 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 advocate you do first. This can assist set your self up for achievement, 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 out to be 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 vital.
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 provides me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep targeted when instances 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 earnings on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear targets will assist information your choices 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 stable 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 nearly a 12 months to start out making any cash. Being in Central America for the primary few months of my nomad life definitely 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 attainable. 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 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 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 in the course of the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a special mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable 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 alone 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 akin to Slack and Groups, and contemplate 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 recognized for his or her low value of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot in your way of life and funds could make or break your expertise. Consider 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 difficulty?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t must 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 give up your job and absolutely 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 prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of constructing all the things 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 time 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 attainable in your present circumstances, however, should 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 might be to working in a non-traditional atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the correct tech setup is vital in the case of engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and comfy) irrespective of the place you might be on the planet.
My tech stack consists of 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 varied search engine optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual record as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad might be isolating at instances, particularly should you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my companion, however nonetheless, it may be powerful typically. Most of our associates are 1,000s of miles away, they usually usually 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 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 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 pals from house 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 type of assist once I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve simply bought 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 straightforward to get caught within the “planning” section perpetually.
It’s 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 trying 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 in addition 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 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 an enormous choice, however with the correct 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 straightforward, nevertheless 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 probably the greatest selections I’ve ever made. It would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.