Not long ago it was commonplace to be stuck at a desk. The thought of working on the move was simply that — a thought. Now? A whopping 70% of all workers telecommute at least once a week.
The workplace is changing, but despite this it’s possible you’re a part of that 30% that isn’t telecommuting at all. Or maybe, that one day each week isn’t enough. If this is you, maybe the life of a digital nomad is just the thing for you.
What’s a Digital Nomad?
Remote workers or telecommuters may work from home part-time, or even full-time in some cases. Still, these workers generally stick close to home and simply enjoy the freedom of working at home.
Digital nomads are the extreme, working remotely full-time while traveling to their heart’s content. Digital nomads live to explore, often traveling around the globe, making beaches and towns and mountains their office when necessary.
How You Can Become a Digital Nomad
If the idea of traveling and working sounds appealing, you’re not alone. Digital nomads are growing every year, the allure of travel and ultimate freedom being too much to resist.
While digital nomadism might sound like the ultimate in leisure, in reality it’s still a lot of work. In order to become a digital nomad there are several things you need to consider and do in preparation.
1. Secure the right job
Working on the go requires the right kind of job. If you’re in sales, marketing, or a writer, you’re already off to a great start. Each of these jobs can easily be taken on the go thanks to the wide availability of internet. If you don’t have a job that can easily be telecommuted to, you might want to examine your current skills and see if you can find a good fit elsewhere.
2. Pick a location
Before you start budgeting, you need to have a general idea of where you want to start your nomad life. Cost of living varies greatly from country to country, and even within, so knowing where you want to go ahead of time will help you determine how much you need to save ahead of time, and how much you need to be making every month as well.
3. Start budgeting
With your destination in mind, it’s time to start budgeting. Remember that no stream of income is ever guaranteed, so you want to make sure you always have enough money to hold you over in the event of losing your job. You also want to make sure you’ve got enough to secure passage back to your home country in the event of an emergency.
4. Make sure you’re insured
Safety should always be a top priority. Make sure you’ve got travel insurance and proper health and life insurance as well. Accidents do happen, no matter where you might be, so making sure you’re insured is paramount.
5. Network with other nomads
There are tons of great online communities for digital nomads. Join some ahead of time and start networking as soon as you can. Many digital nomads mention loneliness as a top concern. Joining a network of other nomads can be a great way to combat this, while also learning about great places to visit.
6. Create a schedule
Digital nomadism isn’t all about drifting aimlessly about. Make sure you’ve got a solid schedule for wherever you go to ensure you get your work done and make the most of your time in a new location. Time can quickly fly by when you’re traveling, and a schedule is a great way to make sure you get the most out of that fleeting time.
The life of a digital nomad is a busy one, filled with work, travel, extensive planning, and a lot of added awareness. Still, with the right planning and preparation, almost anyone can become a digital nomad. To help you get started on your journey to digital nomadism, Bestow has created a helpful visual that will guide you through the process of becoming a digital nomad. Safe travels!
