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 after 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 onerous at occasions, however in the end, I feel the challenges are definitely worth the large 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 provide help to pull off your personal escape.
The best 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 exterior the company field (for me, it was all of these issues), right here are some things I extremely suggest you do first. This may assist set your self up for achievement, earlier than taking the plunge.
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Replicate on Your Why and Targets
Stress-free in Isinlivi earlier than climbing the following morning
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 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 occasions get robust.
Write down your targets – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular nations? Study new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable earnings on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear aims will assist information your choices and maintain you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is without doubt one of the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a stable 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 residing bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took virtually a yr 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 give up my job, I might’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a finances, reduce 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’re to this stage, the much less dangerous it is going to 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 if you happen to can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people realized throughout the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a unique mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable communication expertise, 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 totally different the expertise is. If you happen to 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 identified for his or her low value of residing, lightning-fast web, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are tougher.
Selecting the correct vacation spot in your way of life and finances could make or break your expertise. Remember your personal 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 more likely to be a problem?
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 beautiful place, however it wasn’t ultimate 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 give up your job and absolutely decide to the digital nomad way of life, strive dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run may give you a style of what it’s prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the stress of creating the whole lot good right away.
I did this by spending a number of weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my outdated job. My work was fantastic 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 doable 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 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 correct tech setup is vital with regards to engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and comfy) irrespective of the place you’re on the earth.
My tech stack consists of my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior onerous 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 varied web optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal record as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad might be isolating at occasions, particularly if you happen to’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be robust typically. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, they usually usually don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a help community is so essential. Coworking areas might 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 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 tasks. 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 an internet entrepreneur and making a location-independent way of life. I want I’d had that form of help after 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 will help you keep targeted and provide you with one thing to work towards. And not using a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” section eternally.
It would probably 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 trying again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that will be a far worse consequence than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but additionally settle for that not the whole lot 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 “traditional” life will nonetheless be there.
In Conclusion
Turning into a digital nomad is a giant resolution, 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, however it’s so value 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’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.
