Everyone who has been working in a corporate system for some time has had that moment when they want to leave the workplace, set sails for a trip around the world and never come back to their boring cubical.
Many people see entrepreneurship as the perfect escape plan from a boring corporate job.
This is just partly true, because many entrepreneurs tend to turn their small business into another corporate enterprise.
Lidiya K has stated in her article that founding a lifestyle business is the best solution for corporate boredom and burnout.
Businesses that follow certain lifestyles are becoming increasingly popular. These projects allow entrepreneurs to set their own schedules and bring more flexibility when it comes to working hours, locations, projects and deadlines.
Since backpacking and other forms of independent travel are very popular among millennials, digital nomadism has emerged as one of the prime lifestyle businesses.
Still, this type of lifestyle requires some sacrifices.
In this article, we’ll try to explain how to meet the needs of a digital nomad life.
Everything starts with proper research.
Before you start your lifetime journey, you need to do your homework and conduct an elaborate research on the career paths you wish to pursue and the places you want to visit once you start living the nomad life.
You can start as a freelancer and try to find work on popular freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, People per Hour or 99Design. On these platforms, focus on building a good reputation and finding steady clients, who will enable you to open your company.
Also, don’t forget to educate yourself and learn new skills on the road. There are many popular self-learning platforms you can use, including Udemy, Coursera, MIT OCW (which is free) and Lynda.
The internet has made traveling much easier. You can use it for finding the most affordable lodging at your destination and for connecting with the locals, even before you start your trip.
Use low-cost flight trackers to find the best flight deals, and you can also visit websites of local rail and transportation agencies to find the best deals for smaller weekend trips.
If you plan to hitchhike during these weekend sightseeing tours, check the Hitchwiki platform to find the best hitchhiking spots.
The best way to find long-term lodging is through platforms like AirBnB.
Also, try to find a popular real estate renting website at the destination you’re heading to and check the deals on offer. If you can’t find an appropriate lodging, book a hostel for a few days or try to find a local host on Couchsurfing.
Platforms like Wiki Travel, Trip Advisor, and Numbeo can also be very helpful.
Numbeo lets you compare the average prices in different cities, which can help you choose your next destination.
You can use Trip Advisor for listing and reviewing local businesses and finding information about transportation, tourist sights, and lodging.
Finding the right working environment.
Whatever career path you are trying to pursue in addition to the nomad life experience, you’ll definitely need a quiet, relaxing and well-connected place, from where you will run your business operations.
If you’ve rented a flat without roommates at your destination, you can turn it into a home office. Some digital nomads also use less crowded bars with a good internet connection as their offices, but this can only be a temporary solution.
If you want to find a stimulatory work environment, you should probably look for a good co-working space.
Co-working spaces can be found in any destination that’s popular among digital nomads. These offices are usually located in the city center or in other areas regularly visited by travelers.
The importance of networking when living the nomad life.
One of the most important functions of co-working spaces is to connect similar-minded entrepreneurs and support idea exchange and business development.
Networking is very important for digital nomads. It helps them find a company in a foreign land and establish perspective business connections.
Of course, shared offices are not the only place you can use for networking.
You can also attend meetings and events organized by expat communities and various youth organizations.
Becoming a digital nomad may sound a bit disruptive, but this type of lifestyle provides everything most people wish for. So, don’t be scared of uncertainty and the possible risks.
Just do your homework, pack your bags and start living the dream of the nomad life.
About The Author
This is a guest post by Victoria, a Digital Marketing Strategist. She works with driven, creative, and passionate entrepreneurs and small business owners that want to bring their visions to life.