So you want to be a digital nomad? There are two things that you need to know before you get started. The first is that it’s not as simple as just quitting your job and hitting the road.
It takes some planning, research, and self-education to ensure that this lifestyle suits you. The second thing is that it’s not for everybody-there are many who will never understand or appreciate the idea of being a digital nomad.
But if these conditions sound like they’re up to your alley, then read on! Here we’ll discuss how exactly one becomes a digital nomad and what skills one needs to have to pull off this incredible feat.
We’ll also talk about some of the downsides and risks of a nomadic lifestyle, as well as the struggles that one might face while trying to make this digital nomad dream come true.
So without further ado, let’s jump right into it!
Planning Before becoming a digital nomad, you need to do something that many people can’t seem to grasp: plan ahead.
Unfortunately, there are very few “accidental” digital nomads; most took months or even years of planning before they were able to take flight and explore the world on their terms.
And for good reason being, a digital nomad requires attention to detail like almost nothing else in life does. So before you set out on your journey full steam ahead, consider these things first:
Meet the Requirements
So what are the requirements to become a digital nomad? The most important one is that you have to be comfortable working remotely.
To do this, you’ll need a reliable internet connection and the ability to work independently. You’ll also need some self-discipline, as there will be times when you’re working on your own in a new and unfamiliar place.
But that’s not all!
Other skills can come in handy while traveling the world as a digital nomad. These include but are not limited to: digital nomad jobs such as
– Photography
– Graphic Design
– Social Media Marketing
– Web Development
– Event Planning
– Travel Writing/blogging
So if any of these skills catch your eye, now’s the time to start sharpening those pencils and building up a presence online. Doing work as a freelancer is an excellent way to earn some extra cash while you travel, but it can be challenging at first if you’re not used to working independently.
It’s also crucial that you learn about the countries and cities in which you’ll be living so that you can decide where feels right for you.
Benefits of becoming a digital nomad include:
- Spend less time struggling with tech tools.
- See all your important data in a single dashboard.
- Build the business you’ve always dreamed of.
- Delight your customers with insanely good support.
- Enjoy the freedom to travel and work from anywhere.
- Saving money by living in low-cost countries.
- Never answer to a boss again!
- Explore New Cities and Countries on your terms!
- Share your Adventures with Others!
- Having a passive income
- Remote job
- location independent business
- Productive
- More freedom
- Enough money
- New friends
- Own companies
- living abroad
- Cheap tourist visa
SET the GOAL to become a digital nomad
A digital nomad is someone who sets goals for themselves and then goes out of their way to accomplish them. This means researching where you want to go, what you want to do, how much money you’ll need, etc.,
instead of just winging it as so many others do when traveling around the globe.
Setting goals will give your nomadic adventure direction and ensure that you won’t be aimlessly wandering around or wasting your time.
What to do next: Whenever you’re considering a move, one of the first things to do is set goals. Not only should you decide what you want to do and where you eventually want to end up-you should also decide on a rough timeframe for these goals.
This can keep you from going in circles and flitting from place to place, as so many other digital nomads have done before! After all, it’s better to take a few extra months planning than it is to lose your job and bank account because you were unprepared!
Need for planning before becoming a digital nomad
Planning is key when becoming a digital nomad. You need to make sure that you have the skillset to work remotely, and that you’re comfortable with working independently.
You’ll also need to plan where you want to go and what you want to do while you’re there. Finally, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with this lifestyle and make a plan for how you’ll deal with them.
It’s not for everyone-many people don’t understand this lifestyle and won’t be able to appreciate or accept it. You’ll also face struggles along the way, but that just comes with a life of travel!
Finally, being a successful digital nomad often means being your own boss and going after what you want in life without worrying too much about the consequences.
If all of these sound up your alley, then go out there and start planning so that you can become a digital nomad as soon as possible.
It’s an incredible experience that many have never been able to do. Now’s your time if you plan well and have the right mindset.
What skills are needed to become a digital nomad
To become a digital nomad, you’ll need a few key skills. Firstly, you’ll need to work remotely, which means having a skill that can be done online or with minimal supervision.
Secondly, you’ll need to be comfortable working independently. Finally, you’ll need to be knowledgeable about the countries and cities in which you hope to travel so that you can make informed choices about where to go.
Of course, other important skills will come in handy as a digital nomad- such as social media marketing, copywriting, and web development- but having the ability to work independently is essential.
It’s also important to be patient and resilient; things don’t always go according to plan, especially when you first start.
All the skills are important, but so is your mindset, especially when things like self-motivation and dealing with issues as they arise.
If you’re able to stay focused on the bigger picture, then you’ll have no problem getting your career off the ground!
Struggles one might face while trying to become a digital nomad, and how can overcome them
Digital nomad career is difficult and stressful at first and usually requires hard work and determination to build up a client base before settling down for longer than a month or two at a time.
This does get easier after some practice! But make sure that you know what you’re getting yourself into before making this your full-time job.
Some of the struggles that one might face while trying to become a digital nomad are finding reliable internet, learning about the countries and cities in which you’ll be living so you can decide where feels right for you, and letting go of previous fears.
Another struggle is being your own boss and going after what you want in life without worrying too much about the consequences.
The risks associated with becoming a digital nomad are not working independently, finding reliable internet, dealing with loneliness, making bad financial choices because you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings etc.
Another risk is losing touch with friends and family due to fake relationships online.
Remote workers are often underlooked, so get ready to smile inside while you justify yourself to those around you.
Foreign transaction fees, language barriers, and the risk of getting ripped off are all risks that one might face when trying to become a digital nomad.
Being successful as a digital nomad means being independent, having fun while working hard, meeting new people along the way, traveling on a budget, or staying at numerous Airbnbs instead of hotels, etc.
You need to find out what works best for you! If it’s working remotely from coffee shops, do that instead of expecting to work from expensive hotel rooms covered by coworking spaces.
Digital nomads often need to polish their existing skills to keep up with the competition. Day by day, more people are abandoning their traditional job
Another drawback is the time zones in foreign countries compared to western countries. You’ve to adjust in the initial days.
What it means to be successful in a digital nomad lifestyle and what that looks like for each person.
A successful digital nomad is someone passionate about travel and working while they do it. They’re comfortable with themselves, their career path, and the choices that they’ve made for their life.
Someone who’s a successful digital nomad also knows where to draw the line between work and play, which can be difficult if you’re your own boss.
It means being willing to make sacrifices when you need to but still having fun when you get the chance. It means challenging yourself or taking risks to learn new things or improve upon old ones.
It ultimately means living your best life. However you define that for yourself!
The digital nomad lifestyle has many benefits over a desk job. Firstly, you can work remotely, which means you can live anywhere in the world that has internet access.
Secondly, you’re able to set your own hours and work independently. Finally, you get to travel and explore new countries and cities on your own terms!
In contrast, a desk job often requires you to commute to an office, work set hours, and miss out on the opportunity to travel. It can also be more challenging to find a good work-life balance when you’re tied to a desk job.
If you like the idea of working remotely and traveling while you do it, then becoming a digital nomad is right for you! You’ll be able to arrange your own schedule, set your own wage, travel whenever you want to, and more.
There’s a myth that most digital nomads working online or doing freelance business make more money than their counterpart desk jobs. But this is not really true.
The ultimate goal of being a digital nomad is to do what you want in life without worrying too much about the consequences. This can be achieved by making sound financial decisions, working hard, meeting new people along the way, and enjoying your time exploring new countries and cities on your own terms!
Get Yourself Ready for Your Adventure
Next, it’s time to get yourself ready. You’ll need to consider if you want to work for a company or start your own online business. If you do the former, you will likely have to quit your job and find remote work opportunities elsewhere. But perhaps working for someone else isn’t your style. Starting your own business might be the way to go!
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
If you’re feeling too comfortable in your old life, then it’s time to face your fears and get out of that comfort zone! You might be scared about meeting new people or getting used to a different lifestyle, but doing so will allow you the opportunity to grow.
Most digital nomads are successful because they’re not afraid of failure. They’re willing to try new things and step outside their comfort zones. Of course, missing home country sucks but Making money online worth it.
The other part is being self-disciplined enough to manage your finances, stay on top of your work, and carry on with your travels!
Decide on which Type of Digital Nomad Lifestyle Works Best for You
There are several types of digital nomads-location independent workers, location freelancers, location entrepreneurs, and others. First, decide what style works best for you based upon your personality, skillset, future plans etc. Then start making the necessary changes to become part of this community!
Start Working from Anywhere in the World
Once you have your new lifestyle, it’s time to start living. Start working from anywhere! You’ll be able to work on the go and can travel as much as you want.
However, don’t forget the importance of keeping track of your finances. If you’re not careful with them, that could quickly become a problem for you.
Keep Yourself Busy by Taking Useful Side Projects and Courses
When you’re constantly on the go, there will be lots of downtimes as well. This is where taking some courses or starting some side projects could come in handy!
These might include learning new skills or improving upon old ones. It all depends on what interests you and makes sense for your schedule.
Make Sure to Stay Connected and Invest Time in Your Relationships
You’ll be out of your element and away from friends and family for a long period of time. However, this shouldn’t stop you from staying connected! Try hosting meet-ups with digital nomads in the area or go online to keep in touch.
It’s important to get your face out there, so others know who you are and what you’re about. And don’t forget, it’s equally as important to invest quality time in your relationships when not traveling-especially if you have a special someone special back home!
Digital Nomad Hotspots
Here are our top five countries/cities for digital nomad life for location independence
1. Bali
Bali is an island in Indonesia that’s famous for its beaches, jungles, and volcanoes! It’s also home to many digital nomads who enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this paradise destination.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is a small city in Thailand. It’s often described as the “digital nomad capital of the world” because there are so many coworking spaces and places to get free Wi-Fi here.
The digital nomad community apparently make up 30% of the city’s population living their dreams. Chiang mai simply one of the best popular digital nomad destinations.
3. Medellin, Colombia
Medellin is a Colombian cosmopolitan city located in the Andes Mountains (very pretty). Colombia has only recently become more popular for digital nomads and it’s known for being more affordable than places like Bali, Thailand, and Chiang Mai.
4. Ubud, Indonesia
Ubud is a small city located on the island of Bali and known for its stunning cultural sights and beautiful rice paddies! Many digital nomads describe the city as an “oasis of creativity,” making sense because it’s home to many international artists.
5. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and described as one of the most liveable cities in all of Asia! More than 1 million expats live there, so that should tell you something about how awesome it is. It helps that this diverse city offers plenty of things to do all year round-no matter the season.
How to become a digital nomad – Digital Nomad checklist
Here is the checklist for your digital nomad journey
1. Keep track of your finance
2. Set goals to keep yourself motivated
3. Always have backup plans when things get tough
4. Do work that you love
5. Find a way to be part of the local community while commuting to other countries for work purposes
6. Make sure to get a local sim card
7. Travel slowly, don’t rush it! The digital nomad lifestyle isn’t about being everywhere-its about being in one place but getting experience from all over the world!
8. Plan ahead, otherwise, you will lose months because you are not doing anything productive or just traveling aimlessly without knowing where to go next…
9. Don’t try to do all remote jobs by yourself. you can outsource some to virtual assistants as well
10. Make sure to visit the sites online that talks about remote jobs.
11. Make sure to read the job description properly before applying
12. Be active on social media channels
A few ways you can earn money working as a digital nomad
- Join Facebook groups that post remote jobs
- Start your own blog & Monetize
- Start your own online store using Shopify
- Become a social media influencer (However, this doesn’t always mean getting paid with money; sometimes, you can get free products or discounts in exchange for Instagram posts).
- Teach English as a Second Language (ESL) via Skype.
- Freelance writing through Upwork & Fiverr.com.
- Sell Your Skills and Experience Online: Whether it’s programming, design, marketing or consulting. You can sell it all on sites like Peopleperhour and Thumbtack! Some of them even offer virtual assistant jobs as well.
- Create courses using Teachable & Udemy.com & Sell Them Online
- Find work through specific job boards
What can you learn from successful digital nomads?
They all abandoned their current job and set to explore the world.They set goals and see with clarity what is their final goal so they know how to work step by step towards it.
Most of them believe in themselves and no one else, that’s why they didn’t ask for permission or approval from anyone because if you want something strongly enough you’ll go out there and do it.
Every digital nomad start where they are, most of them had crappy day jobs but were not satisfied-and this became the driving force behind starting an online business.
Office jobs aren’t for everyone. Some people prefer to be outdoors, while others are more attentive when transcribing data in front of the computer as some digital nomads do.
Digital nomads work/ digital nomadism might seem the happiest thing to do, but you have to be prepared for the little sacrifice that is required from you. Also meet digital nomads in the digital nomad hub in various countries, especially in south east Asia.
Digital nomad hubs are places where you can find digital nomads usually coworking spaces or coffee shops.
Make sure to save money before traveling because the first few months might be challenging until you get your feet on the ground.
Becoming a full-time digital nomad is somewhat difficult but not impossible, it takes time to get used to the new lifestyle and remote jobs. But once you get the concept of being a digital nomad, everything else will flow easily.
For many people who are used to living in one location for most of their life, the idea of becoming a digital nomad and traveling while work online is something they can’t imagine doing because it’s such a huge change in how we’ve been conditioned to live our lives.
As far as work goes-the important thing is finding something that gets your juices flowing and makes you happy!
If you’re passionate about what you do and enjoy what you do, then that’s all that matters when it comes to success in business.
Enjoy every single moment during your travel (not only the good ones) – learn about yourself, grow up as a person, make new friends wherever you go!
Don’t waste time sitting down all day watching Netflix…I hope you learned the basics of becoming a digital nomad in the modern era.