As remote work increases in availability and popularity, more people are doing their jobs from the road. The digital nomad work culture is thriving, and the destinations that can support remote workers are increasing to meet the demand for nomad-friendly cities around the globe. Here are some tips on how to thrive as a digital nomad.
Set a clear divide between work and travel
Balance is one of the hardest things about working remotely abroad. In a new country, it’s easy to spend too much time traveling and having fun and not enough time working. New foods, new attractions, new people – all of that can tempt you into spending a bit too much time off the clock. To make sure you get your work done, set clear boundaries for when you work and when you go exploring. The best digital nomads have strict calendars to ensure they get everything done.
Join a co-working space
Even if you’re an introvert by nature, a co-working space can provide many benefits, including fast internet connections, a physical workspace and a community of other individuals who are also working. Being a digital nomad can feel isolating at times, particularly if you’re surrounded by tourists.
Check the time difference
If you have a job that requires meetings with other people, make sure to keep time differences in mind. You don’t want to be waking up at 4am for a conference call! Or have emails flooding in right when you’re about to log off for the day. That’s not to say you can’t travel to far-flung destinations, but you’ll need to communicate the time difference to your team and/or clients. Let them know where you are and when they can expect a reply.
Use your travel time wisely.
Waiting at airports, flying to a new destination or sitting on a train can all be used to work. This way you can get some work done and spend more time exploring once you arrive. You can especially do this with less interesting tasks when flying somewhere – helps a lot with flight anxiety since you have to focus AND you’re more productive as there is usually no or very bad WIFI, which means no online distractions.
Life as a digital nomad is incredibly liberating. While it takes a lot of hard work and organisational skills, it also provides incredible flexibility and opportunities. However, it’s still a job, and that means you need to be smart about how you go about things. By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to start your career as a digital nomad on the right foot and avoid the most common pitfalls.
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