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.
General, it was an incredible 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 occasions, however finally, I believe the challenges are well worth the large 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.
Methods 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 fulfillment, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Mirror on Your Why and Objectives
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 resolution? 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 essential.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized occupation. I spotted I wished a way of life that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep targeted when occasions get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular international locations? Study new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear goals will assist information your selections and preserve 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 stable monetary security web is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl at the least a number of months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue 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 stop my job, I might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a price range, minimize 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 highway, however the nearer you might be to this stage, the much less dangerous it is going to be.
Develop Distant Work Abilities
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 for those who can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people realized through the pandemic, remote work requires fairly a unique mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable communication expertise, and the power 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. When you aren’t already, get accustomed to instruments similar to Slack and Groups, and think about 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 value of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are tougher.
Choosing the right vacation spot in your life-style and price range could make or break your expertise. Take into account 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 once I first began out. It’s a completely gorgeous place, however it wasn’t ultimate 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 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 creating 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 effective with me doing it (it was the summer season of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I received a style of what digital nomadism could be like earlier than going all in.
This might not be attainable 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 atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the best tech setup is crucial in relation to engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and cozy) 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 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 exploit Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and numerous search engine marketing and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual listing as wanted.
Construct a Help Community
Being a digital nomad could be isolating at occasions, particularly for those who’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be robust generally. Most of our associates are 1,000s of miles away, and so they typically don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help community is so vital. Coworking areas could be nice locations to satisfy 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 to this point.
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 folks from house won’t.
Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Distant Goats” teaching 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 type of help 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. With out a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” section endlessly.
It should doubtless 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 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 figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but additionally 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 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 resolution, however with the best 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 value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was among the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.