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 once I left my job as a lawyer in London.
General, it was a tremendous 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 instances, however in the end, I feel the challenges are definitely worth the big upsides.
Listed below are the steps that helped me go from office-bound and depressing to location-independent and free. The following tips all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and make it easier to pull off your personal escape.
Easy 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 advocate you do first. It will 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 grow to be 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 vital.
For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized occupation. I spotted I needed a life-style that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to this present day, and helps me keep targeted 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 selections and hold 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 internet is crucial earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl no less than just a few months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took nearly 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 give up my job, I’d’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 must 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 will likely be.
Develop Distant Work Expertise
One of many issues I 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 in all probability 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 discovered throughout the pandemic, remote work requires fairly a distinct mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, strong 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 alone enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how totally different the expertise is. In the event you aren’t already, get accustomed to instruments comparable to Slack and Groups, and think about taking on-line programs or enrolling in a training program that can assist 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 perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are more difficult.
Selecting the correct vacation spot to your life-style and funds could make or break your expertise. Take into account 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 prone to be a difficulty?
Your first vacation spot doesn’t must be good. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico once I first began out. It’s a completely beautiful place, but it surely wasn’t ideally suited for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and covid on the identical time – tough.
Begin With a Trial Run
Earlier than you give up 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 bought a style of what digital nomadism could be like earlier than going all in.
This will 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 equipment you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you’re to working in a non-traditional surroundings.
Plan Your Tech and Instruments
Having the fitting tech setup is vital on the subject of engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, transportable, and retains you productive (and cozy) 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 take advantage of Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and numerous search engine optimisation and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal checklist as wanted.
Construct a Assist Community
Being a digital nomad may be isolating at instances, particularly for those who’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be powerful typically. Most of our pals 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 may be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded folks. I’ve made pals 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 so far.
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 residence may not.
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 form of help once I began!
Take the Leap
Planning and preparation are important, however in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve simply bought to go for it. Setting a agency exit date can assist you keep targeted and provide you with one thing to work towards. With no clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” section ceaselessly.
It’ll seemingly really feel like an amazing leap of religion. And it’ll in all probability be riskier than staying in a secure 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 understanding.
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 keep 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 fitting 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 straightforward, but it surely’s so price it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was among the best selections I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.
