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 once I left my job as a lawyer in London.
Total, it was a tremendous resolution 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 well worth the enormous 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 make it easier to 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 advocate you do first. This may assist set your self up for fulfillment, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Mirror on Your Why and Targets
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you need to turn into a digital nomad. What’s driving this resolution? 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 wished a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to today, and helps me keep targeted when instances get powerful.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular international locations? 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 selections and maintain you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is likely one of the worst components of being a freelancer. That’s why making a strong monetary security web is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl a minimum of just a few 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 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 finances, lower pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as attainable. You don’t have to 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 in all probability have to 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 realized in the course of the pandemic, remote 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 alone enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how totally different the expertise is. When you aren’t already, get aware of instruments reminiscent of 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 employees. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot in your way of life and finances 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 must be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, nevertheless it wasn’t splendid 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 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 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 high quality with me doing it (it was the summer time 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 is probably not attainable in your present circumstances, however, in the event 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 setting.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the suitable tech setup is essential relating to engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and cozy) regardless of the place you’re 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 numerous search engine marketing and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal listing as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad may be isolating at instances, particularly in the event you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, however nonetheless, it may be powerful generally. Most of our mates are 1,000s of miles away, and so they 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 may be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded individuals. I’ve made mates 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, advocate 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 mates from house may not.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Distant Goats” teaching program is designed to information you thru the method of changing into an internet 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 received to go for it. Setting a agency exit date might help you keep targeted and provide you with one thing to work towards. And not using a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” part ceaselessly.
It can possible really feel like an incredible leap of religion. And it’ll in all probability be riskier than staying in a secure 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 may be a far worse final 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 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
Turning into a digital nomad is an enormous resolution, however with the suitable 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 fulfillment.
It’s not at all times simple, 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 best selections I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.