The world of work if in flux today, with more opportunities to get out of the cubicle and factory prisons. Do you think it is wise to spend the entire life doing a mundane, soul-crushing 9-5 job? If not, it is time to explore the job alternatives. The Age of the Internet has given birth to a new generation of people, the digital nomads. You now have the incredible opportunity to be your own boss from any or every location around the globe! All you need is a sound business model, smartphone, and a Wi-Fi signal to live the laptop lifestyle across the world.
What It Means To Be A Digital Nomad
A digital nomad is simply defined as a location-independent person who uses technology and WiFi to perform their job. As a digital nomad, you are more like a free bird: you choose what you do for work, when you do it and with whom.
You can start your own business or be a freelancer or a remote worker to have that luxury of being a bird. The key is to have a clear definition of success, your definition of success, so you can develop your lifestyle and work to achieve it. You have the ability to find financial freedom anywhere in the world with the right mix of ambition, business smarts, and strategy.
The digital nomad lifestyle could be an incredible opportunity if you want to break free from the monotony of 9-5 job. Before you quit your corporate job, it is important to figure out how you can become a full-time digital nomad while sustainably enjoying your ideal lifestyle.
There are a number of roles and industries for people who want to work remotely. However, it is a challenging task to become a successful digital nomad.
You need to be disciplined and organized if you really want to set yourself up for success. You must have the courage to discard all the fears and negativity and focus more on what could go right rather than what can go wrong.
Here is what it takes to be a full-time digital nomad:
Financial freedom
It will be difficult to be a digital nomad if you are in serious debt or if you don’t have the resources to survive for a few months with no income.
For example, if you are a freelancer, you might go through some periods of inconsistent income. To quickly prepare yourself, it would be ideal to get rid of all the unnecessary expenses, pay off debt, and save something for the worst-case scenario so it would be easy to survive the hard times.
The right skill set
It is time to face the truth. If you are a dentist, the idea of becoming a digital nomad might not work for you. Make sure you have the skill which enables you to achieve financial stability while being location independent.
For example, a web developer can easily become a digital nomad because he can code from anywhere provided that he has the necessary tools such as a reliable laptop and an internet connection.
Similarly, there are plenty of other industries that allow people to work remotely: IT, writing, customer service, digital marketing, software development, to name a few. Here are some useful platforms where you can learn and refine your skills:
- Lynda
- Youtube
- Udemy
- Skillshare
Travel health insurance
The freedom to travel is one of the privileges of being a digital nomad. However, you should be prepared to deal with sickness, emergencies, and accidents. It is not always safe to roam around certain parts of the world without immunizations.
Therefore, health should be your top priority as a digital nomad. It is a good idea to have a sound health insurance plan that can be used in all the places you plan to visit.
Blogging
Whether you want to pursue your career as a freelancer or an entrepreneur, it is imperative to have a sound online presence.
Starting a blog is probably the most effective way to have your voice heard and let the world know about your work.
If you could put some efforts and understand the mechanics of digital marketing, your blog can even become a source of passive income. As a digital nomad, you can start blogging about your travel stories or any other passion of yours.
Build Traffic to Your Blog Building Backlinks to it via SEO and referral traffic. Search engine optimization can pay dividends for months or years to come.
Networking
The internet has made the world a smaller place where it is super easy to build a professional network. There are digital nomad communities which can help you reduce the steep learning curve.
People who have been living as digital nomads for years will be happy to assist you with your lifestyle. One of the benefits of joining these communities is the opportunity to connect with other traveling professionals, which can improve your chances of finding new business partners.
Consider joining a Network Marketing (MLM), direct selling, or affiliate marketing opportunity as well. You can enjoy diversified revenue streams and eventually powerful passive income, two essentials for successful digital nomads.
Top Jobs For Digital Nomads
Digital nomads are people who work remotely while traveling around the world. Here are some jobs that are suitable for digital nomads:
- Freelance writer or copywriter
- Graphic designer
- Web developer or programmer
- Online marketer or social media manager
- Virtual assistant
- Online teacher or tutor
- Affiliate marketer
- SEO consultant
- Translator Content creator (e.g. YouTuber, podcaster, blogger)
These jobs can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, making them ideal for people who want to travel and work at the same time. It is important to note that not all jobs are suitable for digital nomads, as some may require a physical presence or specific equipment. However, with the rise of remote work and the gig economy, there are more opportunities than ever for people to work from anywhere in the world.
Nomad gear
How do people manage to travel with just one bag and carry everything they need to work and live? It is all about the attitude and embracing a shift in mindset. Digital nomads are smart people and they don’t need a lot of stuff to be comfortable. However, make sure you have all the essentials while traveling and working.
Charles Darwin says, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” In order to be a happy digital nomad, you need to learn how to adapt to change. You must evolve as a business professional, be in control of your destiny, and also be able to go with the flow at times.
Break free of corporate slavery and start learning how you can be your own boss. Have all the freedom you need to be happy and determine your own WHY. Start living the digital nomad life and earn on your terms. It could be the smartest decision you have ever made in your career or life.
