What is a Digital Nomad?
A Digital Nomad is someone who is completely independent of where they are and who uses technology to get their work done, whether within an official company, with independent customers, or by running their own business.
This lifestyle has been made possible thanks to recent advances in global internet access, smartphone accessibility, and Voice over IP (VoIP)) that allows you to connect with people all over the world.
Digital nomads work remotely from their home, a coffee shop, a workspace - in fact, from any location that has a Wi-Fi connection. The affinity with this lifestyle comes from the fact that you can travel to different locations and work wherever you want while earning a decent, passive income - all you need is a reliable internet connection.
According to a Buffer survey, up to 97% of people overwhelmingly recommend remote work and would like to continue doing so for the rest of their careers.
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The truth is that many working professionals are fed up with their boring jobs, their bosses stressing them out, and their unrealistic goals.
And often those aren't the only reasons we leave our jobs.
For me, these were often things beyond my control: politics within large groups, decisions beyond my control, manager changes several times a year, the management methods of certain people, and a handful of people who compensate for the mediocrity of others.
If the idea of bypassing this whole system seems interesting to you, let's discuss the steps you can take to transform your traditional professional life into this new way of life.
How do I become a Digital Nomad?
1. Eliminate unnecessary debts and expenses.
You don't want to start your life as a nomad with tons of superfluous debt. And before you leave, it's never a good idea to splurge on things you don't need or can live without.
First of all, reduce unnecessary debts related to credit cards, multiple insurance payments, Netflix subscriptions, Canal Plus, BeInSport, etc...
Then you'll see that it's possible to live like a Digital Nomad and live affordably without a ton of suitcases.
For example, you can easily buy a travel backpack and take seven days' worth of clothing, shoes, a laptop, a camera, and a phone, moving from one hotel or Airbnb to the next.
And as digital marketing consultant, freelancer or for any type of remote worker, it's a good idea to limit your expenses as much as possible.
2. Find a way to generate passive income.
It goes without saying that during your trip, you'll need to find a way to earn money to support your new nomadic lifestyle.
There are lots of ways to make money online, but the aim is not just to make money online, but to find a way to earn a steady income so you don't have to work 40 hours a week, but instead 10 to 15 hours. It is imperative to be able to count on a regular income so that you can travel without worrying about your next salary.
If you're just starting out, it should be a mix of consulting and passive income. When you increase blog traffic and passive income sources, you can reduce your consulting activities, but until then, you'll need income to travel.
3. Take out travel insurance.
Sudden emergencies and accidents can interfere with your new nomadic lifestyle.
That's why it's important to take out travel health insurance that will help you in any place you plan to visit.
Whether you're traveling to Africa or Europe or going to East Asian countries like Thailand, your insurance should cover you everywhere you travel.
Make sure your travel insurance covers all health emergencies and incidents that may occur. This is a concern you can't overlook, as many countries around the world won't provide you with the type of health care you're used to, so it's a good idea to be covered before you hit the road. I am not an insurance expert so use common sense.
4. Join a community of digital nomads
Now that you've left your traditional job for a much more exciting life, it's time to connect with like-minded and like-minded people.
To do this, you need to join digital nomad communities: forums or groups on social networks will help you connect with other digital nomads.
As you are new to this nomadic lifestyle, these communities help you find like-minded people and expats who know the best countries to visit, the cheapest neighborhoods to stay in, crime levels, local activities, and quality of life.
Joining digital nomad communities means you'll always have the support of individuals like you. You can also use this opportunity to acquire new skills and develop your online business with a solid network.
5. Unlock your phone
An unlocked phone is one that is not locked to a particular operator and can be used with any SIM card - with any network operator in the world. This is especially useful when you're traveling around the world and exploring country after country.
An unlocked phone also allows you to choose a better plan to meet your needs based on the country you are in.
If you're done with these items, you've taken a few steps further in your quest to become a Digital Nomad. But what's next? Sorry to tell you, but you're not ready to become a true Digital Nomad yet.
Starting your life as a Digital Nomad is a completely different matter than preparing to become one.
The more prepared you are and the more attention you pay to the smallest details, the fewer barriers you will encounter in your Digital Nomad experience.
5 important tips to help you succeed as a Digital Nomad
1. Find a work-life balance.
As simple as it sounds, finding a balance between your work and social life takes a lot of time when you're new to this Digital Nomad lifestyle.
For me, this was the biggest challenge I encountered when I started my online business.
It's easy to muddy the waters and devote more hours than necessary to your new online business.
Even if working a few hours in a café on Koh Pi Pi seems more pleasant than working daily in an open-space at La Défense, work is still work. If you're still glued to your laptop screen, you won't be fully enjoying your new life as a Digital Nomad.
Don't let your work get in the way of your travel adventures or your social life. Not only is it unhealthy, it ends up pulling you away from the rest of the world.
The best way to do this is to Write down tasks that you need to complete in a day. Stick to this schedule and, if you think it helps, turn off your phone, avoid social media while you work, and set a time limit for each task.
When choosing to live as a Digital Nomad, it's important to find a work-life balance, otherwise your life will become even more stressful than the conventional job you've left.
2. Set a budget.
When you choose to live the life of a Digital Nomad, your budget becomes a bit more stringent.
It's tempting to get carried away with all the new experiences — the food and drinks that can eat away at your bank account. However, if you budget ahead of time, you'll know how far you can push your expenses without running out of cash.
To create a successful and reliable budget, calculate all the expenses you need to make while traveling to each destination, the cost of living, leisure activities, the cost of work, etc. Be sure to assess whether you will be able to live comfortably and endure such experiences in case you don't earn a fixed salary for a while.
3. Be prepared for logistical challenges.
Even if you work remotely or as a freelancer, you need to be available online so that your client or employer can contact you without problems.
It can be impossible to find a stable wifi network in Thailand's most remote islands. But there are plenty of remote locations where wifi is stable. Setting up online meetings and conference calls is another hurdle you may encounter. The difference between time zones is another challenge. However, you can't use it as an excuse to miss an online conference or to miss a deadline.
To avoid disappointing your potential customers, invest in a reliable 4G or 5G mobile key and be sure to buy all international plugs and adapters to charge your electrical devices.
You can also invest in a cell phone signal booster (also known as an amplifier or repeater) to help you detect and amplify your cellular reception.
4. Develop skills to work remotely.
It goes without saying that you need digital skills to be a Digital Nomad. I was lucky.
It so happened that I got into the digital marketing several years ago and that I have learned enough over time to make this blog work. I'll travel with passive income from my affiliations, but that's probably not the case for most digital nomads.
To be successful, you need to have strong technical skills - web development, SEM, SEO, contant marketing - skills that are well paid locally and remotely. And many are trying to become nomads too soon.
The low cost of living in developing countries makes people think that they don't need to earn as much money. However, if your only digital revenue source consists of a YouTube video and a landing page, or a dropshipping store with single-digit sales, you should think seriously before taking the plunge. I didn't take the plunge until this blog brought in a lot more than my full-time salary.
The good news is that learning digital skills is free.
Tons of digital marketing jobs and certifications provide the background needed to start freelancing.
Your freelance work then becomes a concrete experience that you can rely on.
5. Instead, use local ATMs and exchange offices.
Exchange offices at airports charge high exchange fees.
That's why it's best to avoid this option and withdraw money from local ATMs or exchange offices. You will still have to pay fees, but they will be much lower than those you pay at the airport exchange office.
Summary
The life of a Digital Nomad is rewarding. There are no bosses, internal policies, endless hours in public transport or traffic jams to bear.
However, there are challenges to overcome.
Geographical independence leads to other problems: isolation, loneliness, never being able to build a home port or staying in one place for too long. Digital nomads who have been on the road for a long time often return, after a while, to the welcoming and warm places they are used to.
The truth is that digital nomadism is not the answer to life's problems. Whether you are in Bali, Thailand, or anywhere in the world, life goes on. The good news is that you can choose. You can decide what kind of life you want to lead.
The exhilaration and the richness of the experiences you will have on the road are well worth the effort.
The main thing is to find your anchoring point, to sit comfortably at home and simply enjoy every moment.
Because life is too short to worry about a job in one place.
