How to Plan Your Exit: Going From Office Desk to Digital Nomad

Leaving the consolation and wage of a gradual workplace job for the uncertainty of life as a self-employed digital nomad is a large change, each personally and professionally. I did it myself in 2021 after I left my job as a lawyer in London.

General, it was a tremendous choice and I’m infinitely happier than I used to be earlier than. However, it’s not all roses and sunshine. It may be laborious at occasions, however finally, I believe the challenges are well worth the big upsides.

Listed below are the steps that helped me go from office-bound and depressing to location-independent and free. The following tips all come from my very own private expertise. I hope they’re helpful and assist you pull off your personal escape.

The best way to Plan Your Exit: Going From Workplace Desk to Digital Nomad

Whether or not you’re craving freedom, journey, limitless journey, higher climate, or just a life exterior the company field (for me, it was all of these issues), right here are some things I extremely advocate you do first. This can assist set your self up for fulfillment, earlier than taking the plunge.

Replicate on Your Why and Targets

Earlier than you write your resignation letter, take a step again and ask your self why you wish to grow to be a digital nomad. What’s driving this choice? Whether or not it’s the liberty to discover new locations, the prospect to work by yourself phrases, or simply wanting to flee workplace life, understanding your motivation is essential.

For me, it was the frustration of being caught in a inflexible routine, and the stuffiness of the authorized occupation. I noticed I needed a life-style that prioritized flexibility and journey. This “why” nonetheless provides me readability and motivation to at the present time, and helps me keep targeted when occasions get robust.

Write down your objectives – each private {and professional}. Do you wish to see particular nations? Study new expertise? A brand new language? Create a sustainable revenue on-line? Construct a mighty enterprise empire? Having clear goals will assist information your selections and hold you motivated.

Construct Monetary Stability and Safety

Cash stress is likely one of the worst components of being a freelancer. That’s why making a strong monetary security internet is important earlier than you hand in your discover. You’ll want financial savings to cowl no less than a couple of months of residing bills, plus an emergency fund, and a plan for regular revenue going ahead.

My enterprise took nearly a 12 months to start out making any cash. Being in Central America for the primary few months of my nomad life actually helped make the cash I had saved go additional. However, if I hadn’t constructed up a pot of financial savings earlier than I give up my job, I’d’ve quickly run out.

Earlier than leaving your job, make a finances, reduce pointless bills, and attempt to save as a lot cash as attainable. You don’t must have already constructed up a enterprise to the purpose of profitability earlier than you hit the street, however the nearer you’re to this stage, the much less dangerous will probably be.

Develop Distant Work Abilities

One of many issues I like most about being a digital nomad is the flexibility to journey as a lot as you want. However, prefer it or not, you’ll nonetheless most likely must spend a big chunk of your time working – even when you can nip off for a cheeky surf between conferences.

As many people realized through the pandemic, distant work requires fairly a unique mindset than working within the workplace. You want private self-discipline, strong communication expertise, and the flexibility to handle your time successfully with out having a boss trying over your shoulder.

I discover this a lot simpler working by myself enterprise that I care deeply about. However, don’t underestimate how completely different the expertise is. For those who aren’t already, get conversant in instruments resembling Slack and Groups, and contemplate taking on-line programs or enrolling in a training program that can assist you upskill.

Analysis Potential Locations

Not all locations are created equal for digital nomads. Some locations (like Thailand and Portugal) are identified for his or her low price of residing, lightning-fast web, welcoming perspective to nomads, and thriving communities of distant staff. Different locations are more difficult.

Choosing the right vacation spot to your life-style and finances could make or break your expertise. Have in mind your personal priorities. Would you like year-round sunshine? Quick access to coworking areas? A low-key vibe or a busy social scene? Rural or city? Is the time zone prone to be a difficulty?

Your first vacation spot doesn’t should be excellent. I spent a month in Chiapas, Mexico after I first began out. It’s a fully beautiful place, nevertheless it wasn’t preferrred for distant working, with common energy cuts and ropey web. I additionally managed to catch dengue and the flu on the similar time – tough.

Begin With a Trial Run

Earlier than you give up your job and totally decide to the digital nomad life-style, strive dipping your toes within the water. A brief-term trial run may give you a style of what it’s wish to work remotely whereas touring, with out the stress of creating every little thing excellent immediately.

I did this by spending a couple of weeks in Portugal whereas I used to be nonetheless working at my outdated job. My work was fantastic with me doing it (it was the summer time of 2020, so distant work was the norm anyway), and I acquired a style of what digital nomadism can be like earlier than going all in.

This might not be attainable in your present circumstances, however, when you do get the chance to do a trial run like this, I’d extremely advocate it. It’ll assist you determine what works (and what doesn’t), what tech and equipment you do (and don’t) want, and the way well-suited you’re to working in a non-traditional surroundings.

Plan Your Tech and Instruments

Having the fitting tech setup is crucial in relation to engaged on the street. You’ll want a setup that’s dependable, moveable, and retains you productive (and comfy) regardless of the place you’re on this planet.

My tech stack contains my MacBook Professional, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, foldable laptop computer stand, noise-canceling headphones, exterior laborious drive (for backups), common energy adapter, extension cable, and my iPhone (with an eSIM for whichever nation I’m in).

Don’t neglect software program subscriptions, too. I take advantage of Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Workplace, and varied web optimization and running a blog subscriptions on a near-daily foundation. Tailor your personal record as wanted.

Construct a Assist Community

Being a digital nomad may be isolating at occasions, particularly when you’re touring solo. I’m lucky to be sharing this journey with my associate, however nonetheless, it may be robust typically. Most of our mates are 1,000s of miles away, they usually typically don’t relate to issues we wrestle with on a day-to-day foundation.

That’s why constructing a assist community is so essential. Coworking areas may be nice locations to fulfill different like-minded folks. I’ve made mates at social occasions organized at coworking areas, each in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and I’m nonetheless in contact with a number of of them to this point.

Don’t underestimate the worth of those relationships. Fellow nomads can share insights about locations they’ve been, advocate instruments that work for them, and even collaborate with you on tasks. It’s additionally nice to have the ability to share your experiences with individuals who “get” it, as your pals from residence won’t.

Additionally: Dariece and Nick’s “Creator Kickstarter Program” is designed to information you thru the method of turning into an internet entrepreneur and making a location-independent life-style. I want I’d had that form of assist after I began!

Take the Leap

Planning and preparation are important, however sooner or later, you’ve simply acquired to go for it. Setting a agency exit date can assist you keep targeted and provide you with one thing to work towards. With out a clear timeline, it’s straightforward to get caught within the “planning” part endlessly.

It is going to doubtless really feel like an amazing leap of religion. And it’ll most likely be riskier than staying in a steady salaried job. However, there’s additionally the danger of trying again in your life and regretting not having tried one thing like this. For me, that might be a far worse final result than my enterprise not understanding.

Belief in your planning, but in addition settle for that not every little thing will go completely. And that’s okay – each nomad’s journey is exclusive. Embrace the uncertainty. And keep in mind, if it doesn’t work out, or when you change your thoughts about what you need, the choice to return to a extra “conventional” life will nonetheless be there.

In Conclusion

Changing into a digital nomad is a giant choice, however with the fitting planning and mindset, it’s completely achievable. By breaking the method into manageable steps, and following the ideas I’ve shared right here, you’ll be setting your self up for fulfillment.

It’s not all the time straightforward, nevertheless it’s so value it. Leaving the conformist, hierarchical workplaces and fits of the company world to create a lifetime of freedom and journey was among the finest selections I’ve ever made. It’d simply be the identical for you, too. You’ll by no means know till you strive.