The Starters’ Guide to Becoming a Digital Nomad

These days, we are more connected than ever before. This means that a whole new world has opened up for people who’d like to travel while also keeping a secure income. The term “digital nomad” applies to this exact lifestyle. Since it’s possible to work remotely from any location with WiFi access, people can now take their work — and their life — nearly anywhere. This has made extensive travel possible for a demographic it never would have worked for otherwise.

However, that’s not to say it’s a simple move. Working as a digital nomad requires a ton of organization, a good sense of time management, and plenty of prep work. Here’s a look at some of the information you need to know to make this lifestyle work for you:

Take Your Work Seriously

The first and most important aspect of successfully managing as a digital nomad is to take your work seriously. If you work as a traditional, remote employee, you’ll need to work with your company to make sure your schedule and workload are manageable on the road. Remember, however, that the onus is on you to come up with workable solutions. Although your company may be happy to give you flexibility provided your work gets done, you have to follow through and meet deadlines, keep teams moving, and stay productive in order to hold up your end of that deal.

If you’re self-employed, you may have more flexibility, but also more responsibility when it comes to taking your work seriously. There are several things you can do to foster self-discipline and keep yourself motivated as a freelancer. For example, you can form an LLC for your business. This is an investment in your own work that gives you valuable legal protections, as well as tax advantages in some situations. Be sure to do your research — LLC rules vary by state, so you’ll need to figure out whether this move is right for you based on your permanent residence.

Stay Organized

Although taking your work seriously is vital, it’s not enough on its own. You also need to take extra steps to stay organized as a digital nomad. When you’re on the road, it’s easy to mix up your schedule or cross wires when it comes to communicating with clients, teammates, or supervisors. If this happens once or twice, it’s usually not a big deal, but if it becomes a habit, you could wind up losing your job.

Head this issue off at the pass by getting — and staying — organized. There are several methods you can use, from project management software to investing in a well-made planner. If you know you’ll need to have a flexible structure for your organizational scheme, consider looking into a bullet journal. This method is designed so you create it as you go, meaning you can easily tweak and hone your techniques to find the organizational method that’s best for you.

Travel Like a Worker

Finally, you need to learn how to travel with work and productivity in mind. Many people plan trips focused entirely on what they’ll see and do while they’re there. For digital nomads, however, making sure you can work and visit the locale is absolutely essential.

For example, you’ll need to make sure you have reliable internet access on your trip. This could be in your hotel or lodging, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. You can also research local internet cafes or shared workspaces to find the space that’s right for you. You should also plan to extend the length of time you’d spend in any given location. Rather than run yourself ragged trying to see all the sights and work on a short trip, take your time and enjoy life in your destination for a while.

Working on the road can be a fantastic way to take advantage of remote or freelance work. The digital nomad life gives you the freedom to explore different places and discover what life is like all over the country — or even the world. We hope this article gives you the information you need to get started!

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