If there’s one thing I get asked a lot it’s how to become a digital nomad. So you’re sitting in your dreary cubicle (those still exist, right?) and staring into the middle-distance while wishing that you could live a life full of travel and adventure, with new sights and sounds to greet you each day, and new exciting reasons to get out of bed each morning?
Well, why don’t you do something about it? In fact I wrote a whole post about leaving your job to long term travel. Cheap accommodation can be had all over the world if you know where to look. Interested in Indonesia? A quick browse of https://rumahdijual.com/depok/apartemen-depok-ui and you’ll have an amazing apartment waiting.
But, of course, it’s not finding a place to stay that’s the real problem. It’s finding a way to work or pull in some income while on the road that’s often the biggest hurdle to get over for many travellers.
While location based work is still the norm, and while certain industries will always require you to be in a certain physical location, the digital age has opened countless doors that past generations of would be traveling workers could never have dreamed of.
So, if you’ve got the desire to get out, see the world, and get into the working nomad lifestyle, here are some great ways to get started.
How to become a digital nomad – Become a solopreneur
Why have a boss at all if you can avoid it?
With zero-hour contracts apparently being all the rage with many employers these days, and with the creeping sense that job security is a thing of the past, more and more people are choosing to work as freelancers, contractors, and taking the plunge as entrepreneurs of various shades.
Whereas, in the past, starting a business or going it on your own would be a very resource-intensive and risky undertaking, with the amount of amazing tools available for free online today it’s easier and quicker than ever.
If you have an office based skill or something similar, becoming a solopreneur is one of the best ways of getting into a permanent globetrotter lifestyle. For example I have a fried who’s spent most of his life working in ad agencies mainly running SEO and SEM campaigns, something like this is perfect for remote working arrangements or setting up your own little business.
For those whose jobs don’t need anything more than a laptop (like my friend mentioned above), this is the ideal situation to be in. None of your clients will have to know, or probably even care, that you’re working from a new city, or country, each week. – In fact the’ll probably be jealous!
How to become a digital nomad – Remote working arrangements
So, even though I just told you to forsake your boss and go it on your own (no hard feelings to any bosses out there..), sometimes bosses aren’t all bad!
There are certainly very real benefits to having a full-time contract as an employee in an established company (like having a routine), not least of all the fact that you have a reliably high chance of being paid each month, in addition to any benefits like medical cover, or company pension plans.
The only issue is that normal office-workers are typically not able to just wander the world as they desire. It’s often frowned upon, in fact.
One of the more common ways to become a digital nomad might be as (relatively) straightforward as finding the right boss or company to work for – easier said than done though. As more of the business world moves to digital channels, and as technology allows for better and better forms of communication, many bosses are starting to become comfortable with allowing their employees to work remotely, at least part of the time.
Even if you can only score yourself a couple of days of remote working a week, that could still be enough to land you the time for 4-day mini-travels on a regular basis, if those days were sandwiched around the weekend.
If your boss is reluctant, but still open to allow you to try remote working, try and get him to agree to a trial period. Then amaze him with your productivity when out of the office.
How to become a digital nomad – Join schemes for teaching overseas
How to become a digital nomad through teaching. As English is currently the main global language of business and trade, those with the ability to teach it are highly sought out in many parts of the world.
Don’t think that you need a PhD in English to fill that niche, either. Many English as a Second Language programs need English speakers to engage with their classes overseas and are done online and remotely, and often the only real requirement for getting started is to be a native English speaker and a short bout of training.
These teaching programs will generally see you spending a good chunk of time in a new location, with a regular wage coming your way. This already puts you ahead of the ordinary traveller, in that you have the time to properly immerse yourself in a new culture, not just to see a couple of the big attractions.
How to become a digital nomad – Get involved in travel writing
Travel writing and journalism are extremely competitive fields, but if you have the chance of earning a living as a travel writer of any sort, you should consider yourself well and truly blessed by the gods of wayfaring, because your job will not only allow you to travel and see fascinating new things; it’ll fully demand it of you.
Those best positioned to get involved in paid travel writing are professional writers who have already built up an online travel writing presence on their own, usually in the form of a blog. It can also help a great deal to already work for a company who employs travel writers, and to have a word with the higher-ups about getting involved.
Non Digital Options
Get involved in seasonal work
Many industries will have “on” and “off” seasons, or particular jobs that pop-up during certain times of the year (like fruit picking in Australia). The tourism and entertainment industry are also great examples. If the “off” period is even just a month or two a year, and if you’re not really expected, or required, to do anything during that period, it can be the perfect opportunity for putting on your walking shoes and setting off for new lands and new vistas of adventure.
Become a Roadie!
Ok so this suggestion is just a bit of fun, but ever thought about trying your hand at touring as a musician but can’t play an instrument? Why not get work as one of their roadies? It’s hard work if you can get it but on the plus side you get to hang out with the bands and it will give you the perfect excuse to hit the road and see many new places in a short timeframe. The only issue is you might not be in any one place for long enough to enjoy it.
