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.
General, it was a tremendous determination 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 feel the challenges are well worth the big upsides.
Listed here 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 assist you to pull off your personal escape.
How you 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 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 fulfillment, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Replicate 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 determination? 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 this present day, and helps me keep centered when instances get powerful.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular international locations? Study 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 among the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a stable monetary security internet is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl at the least a couple of months of residing bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings 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 stop my job, I might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a finances, minimize pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as doable. You don’t have to have already constructed up a enterprise to the purpose of profitability earlier than you hit the highway, however the nearer you might be to this stage, the much less dangerous it will likely be.
Develop Distant Work Expertise
One of many issues I like most about being a digital nomad is the flexibility 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 for those who can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people realized in the course of the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a unique mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable communication abilities, and the flexibility 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. In case you aren’t already, get accustomed to instruments equivalent 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 value of residing, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are tougher.
Choosing the right vacation spot on your life-style and finances could make or break your expertise. Be mindful 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 difficulty?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t should be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico after I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, however it wasn’t splendid 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, strive dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run may give you a style of what it’s wish to work remotely whereas touring, with out the stress of constructing all the pieces excellent right away.
I did this by spending a few weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my outdated job. My work was positive with me doing it (it was the summer season 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 will not be doable in your present circumstances, however, for those who 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 surroundings.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the precise tech setup is vital in terms of engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and cozy) regardless of the place you might be on this planet.
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 take advantage of Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and varied website positioning and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal checklist as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad will be isolating at instances, particularly for those who’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be powerful generally. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, they usually 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 will be nice locations to satisfy different like-minded folks. 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 up to now.
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 residence won’t.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Creator Kickstarter Program” is designed to information you thru the method of changing into an internet entrepreneur and making a location-independent life-style. I want I’d had that form 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. And not using a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” part eternally.
It is going to doubtless 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 final result than my enterprise not understanding.
Belief in your planning, but in addition settle for that not all the pieces 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 for those who 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 determination, however with the precise planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the guidelines I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for fulfillment.
It’s not all the time straightforward, however 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 finest selections I’ve ever made. It would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.
