There’s a huge buzz around the digital nomad lifestyle these days and we have to say it’s fully justified. Speaking of which, we have to agree it’s one of the positive consequences of globalization that allowed people to work online and more importantly, to tailor their own working routine in accordance with their personal desires and habits. If you sit down to think about it, you’ll notice certain similarities with an evolution of dating. Namely, finding other singles was at some point limited to traditional means such as going to coffee shops, bars or getting to know other people via friends and acquaintances. Now, as we all know, you can meet people online as well.
Getting back on topic, digital nomad lifestyle can be challenging indeed and there are some things that you have to remember from time to time. So, without a further ado, we offer you these 5 essential tips that can help you survive as a digital nomad.
#1 Set up your working schedule in accordance with your most productive hours
Digital nomads are usually freelancers or small startup owners, which allows them to do the tasks whenever they feel like it. Consequently, one can easily become lazy or in need of an extra motivation in order to get their daily tasks done. This means that good organization skill can take you a long way because once you have figured it out what are your most productive hours of the day you will probably get the job done faster and easier than you would usually do. For some, it’s an early morning while others get their creative juices flowing later on in the evening, especially if they are living in exotic locations where temperatures are often high.
#2 Find a decent workspace
Staying in your hotel room can be a great option, especially if a hotel is blessed with a proper air-conditioning system and a decent room service but it can become pretty boring as well, especially if you don’t have an inspiring view or something similar to get you started. On the other hand, there is always an option to seek a freelance coworking space or a cool coffee shop because it can bring you numerous benefits. Firstly, there’s a chance for social interactions and networking with people who are also in your industry, which can eventually open up some new business options for you. And secondly, you won’t have to bother with having to go out for a cup of coffee every now and then since the service will be available to you all the time!
#3 Tangled up in timezones
Believe it or not, you can easily forget about your current timezone, which can unintentionally lead you to missed deadlines, or forgetting to send the report to your client, just to mention a few possible scenarios. So, if you have clients, make sure to inform them about your current timezone and set up fixed consultation hours in advance, for instance. If you have an employer, you can let them know in a timely manner that you’re going to change your location so that they can plan other actions and tasks that are somehow related to your job accordingly.
#4 Learn from your experiences
Some of them might be good, some of them bad, but the most important is to be apt to learn from these and turn them into our own advantages. There will always be bad hotels or hostels, Internet accessibility issues (especially if your path takes you to some of the underdeveloped countries) but you have to stay focused on solving those while on the go. You can also do the research about your next temporary living location in advance so that you know what to expect. A beautiful beach is one thing, while a decent accommodation with a fast Internet connection is completely different, so do make sure to plan wisely and carefully.
#5 Remember your motives and follow your dreams
A digital nomad is a desirable label, we know, but people who have adopted this particular lifestyle also need a motivation from time to time in order to keep living it. The motives might be quite a few, from a possibility to live in an exotic location where temperatures never drop below 20c, to looking to find and entrepreneurial match who will understand and share our unique business vision. Still, the point is to be proactive and enjoy everything a digital nomad lifestyle has to offer, and this often includes recognizing the right opportunity when you see one.
Have you ever considered becoming a digital nomad? Why are you still hesitating? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below!
Free photo: http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Asia-Thailand-Digital-Nomad-Koh-Lanta-No-Office-2113685
