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.
Total, it was an incredible determination and I’m infinitely happier than I used to be earlier than. However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. It may be laborious at instances, however in the end, I feel the challenges are definitely 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 show you how to pull off your individual 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 outdoors 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 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 need to turn out to be 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 provides me readability and motivation to today, and helps me keep targeted when instances get powerful.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular international locations? 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 selections and maintain you motivated.
Construct Monetary Stability and Safety
Cash stress is among the worst components of being a freelancer. That’s why making a strong monetary security web is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl a minimum of a couple of months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took virtually a 12 months to begin 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 funds, minimize pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as attainable. 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 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 have to spend a big chunk of your time working – even in the event you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people discovered throughout the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a distinct mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, strong communication expertise, and the power to handle your time successfully with out having a boss trying over your shoulder.
I discover this a lot simpler working by myself enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how totally different the expertise is. For those who aren’t already, get aware of instruments akin to Slack and Groups, and take into account 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 price of dwelling, lightning-fast web, welcoming angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are more difficult.
Choosing the right vacation spot to your way of life and funds could make or break your expertise. Take note your individual 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 problem?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t should 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 ultimate 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 totally decide to the digital nomad way of life, strive dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run can provide you a style of what it’s wish to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of constructing every part good immediately.
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 could be like earlier than going all in.
This is probably not attainable in your present circumstances, however, in the event 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 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 appropriate tech setup is essential relating to engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, 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 laborious 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 numerous search engine marketing and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your individual record as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad will be isolating at instances, particularly in the event you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my companion, however nonetheless, it may be powerful typically. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, and so they usually don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.
That’s why constructing a assist community is so necessary. Coworking areas will be nice locations to fulfill 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 dwelling 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 way of life. 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 may 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” part ceaselessly.
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 chance of trying 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 additionally settle for that not every part 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 in the event 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 determination, however with the appropriate 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 at all times straightforward, but it surely’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 would simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.
