Leaving the consolation and wage of a gentle 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 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 arduous at occasions, however finally, I believe the challenges are well 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 outdoors the company field (for me, it was all of these issues), right here are some things I extremely suggest you do first. This can 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 wish to turn into 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 vital.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized career. I spotted I wished a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to at the present time, and helps me keep centered when occasions get powerful.
Write down your objectives – 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 business empire? Having clear goals will assist information your selections and maintain you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is among the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a strong monetary security internet is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl not less than a number of months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took almost a year 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’d’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a price range, 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 will probably 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 in all probability must spend a big chunk of your time working – even if you happen to can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people realized through the pandemic, remote 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 alone enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how completely different the expertise is. In the event you aren’t already, get aware of instruments equivalent to Slack and Groups, and contemplate taking online courses or enrolling in a coaching 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 internet, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are tougher.
Selecting the correct vacation spot on your life-style and price range could make or break your expertise. Take into account your personal priorities. Would you like year-round sunshine? Easy accessibility to coworking spaces? 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 must be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, nevertheless it wasn’t excellent for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and covid 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 prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of creating every little thing 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 tremendous with me doing it (it was the summer time of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I acquired a style of what digital nomadism could be like earlier than going all in.
This might not be potential in your present circumstances, however, if you happen to 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’re to working in a non-traditional atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the suitable tech setup is essential in terms of engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and cozy) irrespective of the place you’re on the earth.
My tech stack contains 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 SEO and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal record as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad could be isolating at occasions, particularly if you happen to’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, however nonetheless, it may be powerful typically. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, they usually typically don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help community is so necessary. Coworking areas could be nice locations to satisfy different like-minded individuals. I’ve made buddies 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 to this point.
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 mates from residence won’t.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Remote Goats” coaching program is designed to information you thru the method of changing into a web based entrepreneur and making a location-independent life-style. 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 acquired to go for it. Setting a agency exit date might help you keep centered and provide you with one thing to work towards. With no clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” section eternally.
It can seemingly 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 danger of wanting again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that might be a far worse final result than my enterprise not understanding.
Belief in your planning, but additionally settle for that not every little thing 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 if you happen to 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 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 yourself up for success.
It’s not all the time straightforward, nevertheless it’s so value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was the most effective selections I’ve ever made. It would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
