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 after 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 instances, however in the end, I feel the challenges are definitely worth the enormous 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 make it easier to pull off your individual 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 suggest 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 need 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 noticed I needed a life-style that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to at the present time, and helps me keep centered when instances get powerful.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular nations? 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 choices and preserve 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 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 nearly a yr 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 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 street, however the nearer you might be 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 flexibility to journey as a lot as you want. However, prefer it or not, you’ll nonetheless most likely have to 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, strong communication abilities, and the flexibility 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 aware of instruments similar 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 identified for his or her low price of residing, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot to your life-style and finances could make or break your expertise. Bear in mind 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 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 excellent for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and the flu on the similar 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 may give you a style of what it’s wish to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of constructing every part good 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 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 will not be doable 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 equipment 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 correct tech setup is crucial with regards to engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and cozy) irrespective of the place you might be on the 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 neglect software program subscriptions, too. I take advantage of Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and varied search engine optimisation and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual record as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad could be isolating at instances, particularly should you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, 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 could 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 up to now.
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 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 life-style. I want I’d had that type 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 may also help you keep centered and provide you with one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” section ceaselessly.
It should seemingly really feel like an incredible leap of religion. And it’ll most likely be riskier than staying in a secure salaried job. However, there’s additionally the danger 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 additionally settle for that not every part 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, 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 would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
