Leaving the consolation and wage of a gradual workplace job for the uncertainty of life as a self-employed digital nomad is a large change, each personally and professionally. I did it myself in 2021 after I left my job as a lawyer in London.
Overall, it was a tremendous determination and I’m infinitely happier than I used to be earlier than. But, it’s not all roses and sunshine. It could be arduous at occasions, however finally, I believe the challenges are well worth the enormous upsides.
Here are the steps that helped me go from office-bound and depressing to location-independent and free. These suggestions all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and enable you pull off your personal escape.
How to Plan Your Exit: Going From Office Desk to Digital Nomad
Whether you’re craving freedom, journey, limitless journey, higher climate, or just a life exterior the company field (for me, it was all of these issues), right here are some things I extremely advocate you do first. This will assist set your self up for fulfillment, earlier than taking the plunge.
Are you able to reside a distant way of life?
Take the quiz and see if we may help.
Our Creator Kickstarter Coaching Program will probably be accepting a most of 10 folks to begin constructing their dream distant way of life. Learn extra & see if we may help you obtain your objectives!
Reflect on Your Why and Goals
Relaxing in Isinlivi earlier than mountain climbing the subsequent morning
Before you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you wish to turn into a digital nomad. What’s driving this determination? Whether 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 essential.
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 centered when occasions get robust.
Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular international locations? Learn new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable earnings on-line? Build a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear aims will assist information your choices and hold you motivated.
Build Financial Stability and Security
Money stress is likely one of the worst elements of being a freelancer. That’s why making a strong monetary security internet is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl not less than just a few months of dwelling bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular earnings going ahead.
My enterprise took virtually a yr 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. But, if I hadn’t constructed up a pot of financial savings earlier than I stop my job, I’d’ve quickly run out.
Before leaving your job, make a price range, lower 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 highway, however the nearer you’re to this stage, the much less dangerous it is going to be.
Develop Remote Work Skills
One of the issues I really like most about being a digital nomad is the flexibility to journey as a lot as you want. But, prefer it or not, you’ll nonetheless most likely must spend a big chunk of your time working – even if you happen to can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.
As many people discovered through the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a distinct mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, strong communication expertise, and the flexibility to handle your time successfully with out having a boss trying over your shoulder.
I discover this a lot simpler working alone enterprise that I care deeply about. But, don’t underestimate how completely different the expertise is. If you aren’t already, get acquainted with instruments similar to Slack and Teams, and think about taking on-line programs or enrolling in a training program that will help you upskill.
Research Potential Destinations
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. Other locations are tougher.
Picking the suitable vacation spot in your way of life and price range could make or break your expertise. Keep in thoughts your personal priorities. Do you need year-round sunshine? Easy entry to coworking areas? A low-key vibe or a busy social scene? Rural or city? Is the time zone more likely to be a problem?
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, however it wasn’t very best for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and the flu on the identical time – tough.
Start With a Trial Run
Before you stop your job and absolutely decide to the digital nomad way of life, attempt 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 strain of constructing every thing good right away.
I did this by spending just 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 season of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I acquired a style of what digital nomadism could be like earlier than going all in.
This is probably not attainable in your present circumstances, however, if you happen to 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 setting.
Plan Your Tech and Tools
Having the suitable tech setup is vital relating to engaged on the highway. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and comfy) regardless of the place you’re on this planet.
My tech stack consists of my MacBook Pro, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior arduous 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 Office, and numerous web optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal record as wanted.
Build a Support Network
Being a digital nomad could be isolating at occasions, particularly if you happen to’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my accomplice, however nonetheless, it may be robust generally. Most of our mates 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 help community is so necessary. Coworking areas could be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded folks. I’ve made mates 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, advocate 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 pals from house may not.
Also: Dariece and Nick’s “Creator Kickstarter Program” is designed to information you thru the method of changing into a web-based 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 acquired to go for it. Setting a agency exit date may help you keep centered and offer you one thing to work towards. Without a transparent timeline, it’s simple to get caught within the “planning” section without end.
It will possible really feel like an incredible leap of religion. And it is going to most likely be riskier than staying in a steady salaried job. But, 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 end result than my enterprise not understanding.
Trust in your planning, but additionally settle for that not every thing 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 if you happen to change your thoughts about what you need, the choice to return to a extra “traditional” life will nonetheless be there.
In Conclusion
Becoming a digital nomad is an enormous determination, however with the suitable planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the information I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for fulfillment.
It’s not at all times simple, however it’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 finest decisions I’ve ever made. It may simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you attempt.