2020 has demonstrated that a far greater number of jobs can be completed remotely. We discovered that we carried on working the typical 9-5 job merely because it was accepted as the usual thing to do. The idea of flexible working hours is being discussed, as it brings many benefits to both employers and employees, but there has already been a shift towards telecommuting, remote working, or working from home, depending on how it is referred to. We just needed either a small or large impetus to jumpstart the switch to working from home.
What are the advantages of becoming a digital nomad?
Are you still searching for arguments to make your dreams of going on a trip a reality? The perks of digital nomadism are plentiful, from being able to pick your own work style and arrangement to having access to limitless possibilities.
- Flexible working environment
As a digital nomad, you get to choose the conditions of your work environment and the times you work. You have the ability to create a timetable that works best for you and your requirements.
Would you like to work from various cafes for a few weeks? You can rent a studio apartment in a town. Would you enjoy being able to work remotely from a tropical beach for a few months? You have the option of locating a beachside hostel and lingering there for whatever duration you would like.
You have the option to structure your daily activities in whatever way you desire. If you favor starting to work early in the morning and afterwards leaving the rest of the day open for activities such as traveling, visiting people, or surfing the internet, that is possible. You can alternate between six hours and twelve hours of work in one day. The options are endless.
- Interesting jobs
83% of digital nomads work for themselves, of which 34% operate as independent contractors. They have the ability to pick their projects and customers.
If you have been dreaming of becoming a traveler writer, you could take a few chances and test if it suits you. If not, you can proceed to the next project. When you are mastering new skills and benefitting from numerous sources of revenue, you can regulate the amount of labor you do and the way you perform it. If you become weary of the same thing, you can alter the tedium and modify your venture or position.
- Adventure
As a digital nomad, you’ll have the experience of touring around the globe, coming across diverse individuals, and savoring assorted customs. You will never be lacking in thrilling experiences due to your chosen way of life.
Accomplish your ambitions: take a few weeks to hike mountains in Greece, experience a hot air balloon ride in Turkey, or reside in a village in India for a couple of months. Embracing the lifestyle of a digital nomad will permit you to contemplate unconventionally.
- Sense of freedom
The lifestyle of digital nomadism provides a feeling of liberation as a key advantage. Since you lack an attachment to any specific place, other individuals, job, or possessions, you have the power to control your life and decide on options that are advantageous to your circumstances.
- Personal growth
Leaving your comfort zone encourages personal development. As a digital nomad, you will risk taking on a variety of obstacles and difficulties. Exploring unknown surroundings or taking on fresh social environments are sure to bring you knowledge and insight.
Practicing the digital nomad lifestyle encourages one to develop by teaching valuable life lessons. As you go through these scenarios on your own, you will gain the ability to become more adept at arranging and structuring. All this will help you become self-reliant and independent.
- Perfect work-life balance
Perfect work-life balance looks different for everyone. Some folks feel energized and fulfilled by devoting a large amount of time each day to their jobs, while others find satisfaction in only putting in a few hours. A lot of individuals prefer having an enjoyable experience engaging in activities they enjoy to working hard in a job they don’t care for.
As a digital nomad, you have the advantage of being able to arrange your own schedule and way of working, so you can achieve the best possible balance between your occupational commitments and your personal life. In your leisure hours, why not try out a few pursuits you’ve never tried before, make new connections, explore different locations, and enjoy activities that bring you joy?
- Vast opportunities
With digital nomadism, your opportunities are limitless. Whether you desire to explore new destinations every two weeks or to plant yourself in one spot for several months, being an online nomad opens up both these choices. By visiting different regions, you will be presented with the opportunity to come across individuals from various backgrounds.
You can switch up your career, convert your way of life, go on vacations frequently, and become involved in novel encounters. The world is your oyster.
- Financial advantages
You can be in control of your finances by selecting the jobs and customers that you want to be associated with. If you’re looking to make a bit of extra money, you could try tackling additional jobs instead of relying on a conventional job in a company.
You can also arrange your expenditures so that you will be able to save a considerable amount of your income. For instance, if you make a decision to migrate to a cheaper country, your expenses associated with residence, sustenance, transportation and other services will be significantly less.
What are the disadvantages of becoming a digital nomad?
Just like any other way of life, the lifestyle of a digital nomad has its drawbacks. Once you have figured out the obstacles associated with being a digital nomad, you will be able to have an enjoyable lifestyle while traveling.
- No medical insurance
The life of a digital nomad does not come without difficulties, however the lack of a trustworthy medical insurance plan might be the most critical shortcoming of the digital nomad lifestyle.
- Travel disruptions
The essence of being a nomad is traveling. Despite that, that also involves coming to terms with unexpected interruptions and terminations in one’s journey.
Travel interruptions can be very irritating when taking a break from work, particularly if the journey is happening in the middle of a regular work week. It can be challenging to finish tasks on time on those days.
As a digital nomad, it is invaluable to have a backup plan if any unanticipated travel issues occur; it is important to have your work arranged and sorted out so you can still complete it on time.
- Financial compliance
Using a debit or credit card for vacationing can be expensive. It is not advisable to take a lot of money while on vacation, especially if it is a new destination. It is not possible to open a bank account and maintain it if you are constantly moving between different countries, although it is possible in some countries. Besides that, payment apps such as PayPal are not a viable option because of the charges for transferring funds.
- Lack of emotional support
No matter if you’re a digital nomad or not, life can sometimes be overwhelming. Many unprecedented problems can come your way. Financial, medical, and housing matters can be taxing and require a lot of effort. During these difficult times, it can be beneficial to be surrounded by those you love, who can offer emotional support. Despite being a nomad, being away from family and friends can be very disheartening and depressing sometimes.
How to make the career switch to working as a digital nomad
It may seem like an insurmountable challenge to become a digital nomad, but it is easier than it appears to be. For a lot of people, the prospect of becoming a digital nomad is arousing. Wouldn’t it be great to have a bungalow in either Chiang Mai or Bali as your workspace? It appears as though the possibility may only exist in a different age. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Every person’s journey to become a digital nomad is unique, but there are certain steps that are commonly taken in order to make the transition. Here, we will explore those measures. It is good that you have already completed one or two stages! This implies that there will be fewer issues to take into account when transitioning.
Preliminary Questions
? Can I work remotely with my current job?
? What skills do I have or that I need that can translate to remote work?
? Where do I want to go? What do I need to go there?
? What kind of lifestyle do I want to live?
? Am I ready to become a digital nomad?
Take Action
Once you’ve asked yourself pertinent questions and decided if becoming a digital nomad is something you’re interested in, it’s time to set the wheels in motion. Let’s check out the steps you need to take.
- Join a digital nomad community
This is a great place to start. Joining one or multiple communities will provide you with the opportunity to ask any queries you may have. These queries might pertain to a certain spot or subject or could just be to see if anyone is up for getting together! When you become a member of a group, you are no longer by yourself. There is plenty of guidance that can be sought after from those who are highly knowledgeable in their field to provide assistance.
- Become a freelancer
If you won’t be able to continue working your old job while you travel, then it is necessary to begin as a freelancer. As a freelancer, you are in control of when, how, and where you perform your duties. This grants you the liberty to decide how to manage your own career. Once you have realized what your talents are, it is time to start using them. It is possible to become a freelancer in several different ways. You can take advantage of people you met in your past job and offer your expertise, or you can utilize the numerous online networks that exist. Examples of websites that provide single assignments or lasting partnerships such as Upwork and Fiverr exist. Job search websites such as remoteOK specialize in posting remote working positions exclusively.
- Build your business
If you opt to pursue single assignments, then you will have to expand your capabilities. As long as you are committed to your job, this should prove to be effortless. By finishing tasks successfully and keeping up your capabilities, you can keep developing your enterprise. And you don’t have to be perfect either. You will make mistakes. It’s important that you learn from them. It might be beneficial to join a supportive group of people at this stage that can assist you on your journey.
- Make a plan and stick to it
It is important to bear in mind that while visiting enjoyable spots, you must still keep up with work! As a digital nomad, it is important to establish objectives and ensure you stay focused on them. The amount of monitoring you experience may vary based on the job you have. Create a list of tasks to complete and be sure to get everything done! You have to know exactly what you are aiming for, the method of achieving it and where you are heading. In contrast to someone who migrates aimlessly, it is better to set a plan with specific objectives in terms of your professional and personal life.
- Take the plunge!
It’s hard to know everything before you go. You might have an easier time than you think becoming a digital nomad, however it still involves a lot of effort. You can accomplish being a digital nomad if you take into consideration these pieces of advice while striving to reach that target.
How to Smoothly Transition to Remote Working
Here are some tips to help you make the switch to working remotely, whether that is from your home or as a digital nomad.
- Mentally prepare yourself
It’s going to be different, much different. Working from home is different than working in an office environment, but it isn’t a holiday. You could think about beginning to work from home on a part-time basis and adjust your desires accordingly.
- Set your work schedule (and breaks)
Since remote work doesn’t come with the same degree of responsibility that you have in the office, it’s important to set up a plan for yourself and make sure you stay on track. Keep a structured day and don’t forget your breaks.
- Avoid cabin fever
It can be easy to stay in your house all the time when you’re working from a distance. Head out for a stroll or even pretend that you are going to work. Your body will definitely thank you.
- Learn about the tools you will need and use them effectively
Familiarize yourself with the tools like Slack, Toggl, Salesforce, Zoom, etc. that are designed to help with productivity and communication in the workplace; it will surely make your life more manageable.
- Communicate well with your team
Don’t keep to yourself. Effective communication is of the utmost importance when operating from a distance. This is where the aforesaid instruments can be pivotal.
- Maintain a work-life balance.
It is conceivable that if one’s home is also the workplace, it can be difficult to ever really disengage from work. After work hours, separate yourself from the job. Disable your alerts and make it clear to your colleagues that you are not available round the clock. Be mindful of the distractions that hide in your own home while working: binging Netflix, the comfortable bed, or your family close by.
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