Becoming a Digital Nomad
A Complete Guide for Beginners
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Live a life of travel and excitement by becoming a digital nomad. According to Statista, almost half of digital nomads are millennials, but this way of life is desirable to workers of all ages. However, before you quit your desk job and start traveling, there are a few things you should consider.
What is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is a person who relies on telecommunication technologies to earn a living. Digital nomads often work remotely to accomplish tasks and goals that used to traditionally take place in an office.
You find them in coffee shops, public libraries, coworking spaces, or recreational vehicles. These nomads have been known to utilize technology such as wireless internet (wifi), laptops, cell phones, VoIP phones, and apps to work remotely.
Often, people confuse digital nomads for freelancers, as freelancers typically work remotely and independently. The difference between the two is that freelancers tend to be stationary while digital nomads frequently move and travel to new cities and/or countries.
If you want to become a digital nomad, you can join a coding bootcamp to gain in-demand tech skills. Professional roles in technology, such as a data scientist or software engineer, are often the easiest to accomplish completely remotely.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Digital Nomad?
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Some of the most obvious benefits of becoming a digital nomad include the ability to experience different cultures and a greater sense of professional freedom. While the benefits will vary depending on how you choose to earn your income, below are a few of the reasons why you should consider becoming a digital nomad:
The opportunity to travel and work anywhere in the world
The ability to set your own hours
The development of new relationships with people from all over the world
The ability to design your lifestyle
There is no need for formal attire
Flexible work-load
Potentially more access to better, more interesting jobs
It's an excellent opportunity to find new hobbies
Integration into a large, global community
What are the Challenges of Becoming a Digital Nomad?
Some challenges of becoming a digital nomad can be relatively overwhelming, especially if you aren’t properly prepared. Below, we take a look at some major potential challenges you should anticipate as a digital nomad:
Isolation from friends and family
Homesickness
Loneliness
Anxiety about job security
Logistical issues
Making new friends might be a bit difficult, especially if there are language and cultural barriers
Wifi, depending on your location, can be unreliable
Resources You Will Need to Become a Successful Digital Nomad
Before you book that one-way ticket to Bali, you should consider a few things. These are the main resources you should have as a digital nomad:
Purchase a laptop or tablet and reliable wireless internet access. You must invest in your laptop before embarking on this journey. Ensure it has the proper processing speed and long battery life. You should also check wifi availability in the area you will be staying. Do your research by checking with members of a digital nomad community before you select your next destination.
Gain a good working knowledge of the local language and culture. Culture shock can be overwhelming and frustrating. It can be difficult living among people who do not speak your native language. Taking a class or traveling with someone fluent in the language and culture will reduce your stress and provide some degree of independence as you navigate your new geographic area.
Join a digital nomad community. Being part of a community can save you from a lot of hiccups. Most of these platforms offer tips and tricks for beginners and seasoned digital nomads.
Build a financial cushion. While there are plenty of ways to make money on the road, it's always good to have a little nest egg in case of emergencies. This is especially true if you are hoping to freelance.
Establish your finances. Being a digital nomad, you may stay in different countries or regions within a country over the years. Identify banks with a global network to avoid high bank fees and unfavorable currency exchanges.
Look into productivity tools. It can be quite easy to get lost in the frenzy of traveling and forget about work. You should look into developing strategies to remain productive. There are multiple applications that can help you ensure your work is a priority.
Tips for Maintaining Your Productivity as a Digital Nomad
Travelers often face unique challenges when it comes to staying productive. Without a regular office or schedule, it can be easy to let work slip through the cracks. However, here are a few key strategies that digital nomads can use to stay on top of their work:
Stay organized. Even though you’re living a life of freedom and flexibility, that doesn’t mean you should be haphazard in your work. Establishing routines will help keep you stay sane and productive.
Take breaks accordingly. Just because you can work from anywhere doesn’t mean you should work all the time. Be realistic about how much work you can actually get done in a day, and make sure to schedule plenty of time for rest.
Get plenty of exercise and eat healthy meals. When you’re on the road, it can be tempting to let your health slide. Incorporate exercise and nutritious meals into your routine as much as possible.
Conclusion
As more work can be completed remotely, it looks like the digital nomad lifestyle is here to stay. In many ways, digital nomads can even benefit local economies. Becoming a digital nomad can broaden your horizons and help you become a more resourceful person, but do carefully consider the pros and cons before taking any major steps.
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