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 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 exhausting at instances, however finally, I feel the challenges are well 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 show you how to pull off your personal 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 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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Mirror on Your Why and Targets
Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you need to develop into a digital nomad. What’s driving this determination? 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 vital.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized career. I spotted I needed a life-style that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless offers me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep targeted when instances get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you need to see particular nations? Study new abilities? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear goals 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 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 dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue 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 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’d’ve quickly run out.
Earlier than leaving your job, make a price range, reduce pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as potential. 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’re 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 have to spend a big chunk of your time working – even when you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people realized through the pandemic, distant workrequires fairly a distinct mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, stable communication abilities, 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. In the event you aren’t already, get conversant in instruments resembling Slack and Groups, and take into account taking on-line programsor 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 angle to nomads, and thriving communities of distant employees. Different locations are more difficult.
Selecting the correct vacation spot in your way of life and price range could make or break your expertise. Take note 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 more likely to be a difficulty?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t must be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico after I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, nevertheless it 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 totally decide to the digital nomad way of life, attempt dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run can provide you a style of what it’s prefer to work remotely whereas touring, with out the strain of creating the whole lot 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 high quality with me doing it (it was the summer time of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I obtained a style of what digital nomadism could be like earlier than going all in.
This might not be potential in your present circumstances, however, when 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’re to working in a non-traditional atmosphere.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the proper tech setup is crucial on the subject of engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and cozy) regardless of the place you’re on this planet.
My tech stack contains my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior exhausting 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 personal record as wanted.
Construct a Help Community
Being a digital nomad could be isolating at instances, particularly when you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be robust generally. Most of our buddies are 1,000s of miles away, they usually typically 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 could be nice locations to fulfill 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 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 folks from house won’t.
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 obtained to go for it. Setting a agency exit date may help you keep targeted and offer you one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” part endlessly.
It can doubtless really feel like an amazing leap of religion. And it’ll most likely 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 might be a far worse end result than my enterprise not figuring out.
Belief in your planning, but in addition settle for that not the whole lot 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 when 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 proper 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 achievement.
It’s not all the time simple, nevertheless 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 decisions I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.
