There is one absolute truth about travelling - Once you start you will never want to stop. The world is a big place. There are countless places you can see, countless experiences to share with loved ones, and boundless potential friends to make from different walks of life. Finding yourself watching a pristine sunset on some random beach on the other side of the world are definable moments that can bring a sense of gratitude for everything you have, and everything has to offer in your life. These experiences have a funny knack of stripping away what really doesn't matter and allowing yourself to truly experience the power of now, right here, with us, and with your loved ones.
Although this article is titled "How to become a Digital Nomad", the audience is a little wider than just those with digital skills - Such a life is possible if you have any skills that are desirable around the world.
Travelling the world while you work is possible, home is where you want it to be. If this is the vision you want for your future, experiencing a quality of life that is grander than what you have now then please read on.
Realistically identify your passions, desires and goals. This will be what pulls you to this life more than anything. Is it freedom from a monotonous 9-5 office cubicle? A Chance to explore? A humanitarian project close to your heart? Want to try new things? Trying to get out of your comfort zone? Experience new cultures?
Just as important as your passions, what are the things in your life that you would like to phase out?
Any marketable non-digital skills?....Trained Chef? Teacher? Native English Speaker? Check out our article on Top 12 places to teach English around the world. Farmer? Environmental Scientist? Mechanic? Certified Yoga Instructor? Artist? Photographer? Although I won't be talking directly about these skills, they are all very transferable to a nomadic lifestyle. We have met many individuals in each of these fields that travel from place to place leveraging their skills. Although these skills are not directly related to a digital nomadic life, many of them can work complementary to digital mediums to open up more opportunities.
What are your Digital skills?
Or are you into writing?
Or are you an Entrepreneur? Do you have a great business idea? Can it operate globally and be run from anywhere in the world?
Success Story: My partner and I recently met a couple travelling through Southeast Asia, each with their own business. Pearly had created a swimsuit product. She had arranged a contract to make her product line in Vietnam by a lovely old Vietnamese lady at a fraction of what it would have cost her back home - She had to sell 10 swimsuits a month in order to fund her travels, and with a strong Digital Marketing Plan through Instagram using discount campaigning she usually met those targets within the first week of any month. Follow her on @opk.swim.Toran, her Partner, had created a Platform and network for households to quickly get quotes and hire Tradies (Plumbers, Electricians, Cleaners...etc) for home maintenance jobs. All set up to be a complete residual source of income with minimal overheads or oversight.
Fortuna favet paratus - Fortune favours the prepared
Personal Advice: You don't need to be on the road to set yourself up as a Digital Nomad. Preparation is worth its weight in gold - even if it means holding off for 6 months to set yourself up. Make sure your plan has quantifiable and achievable goals...i.e. Build 3 websites within 3 months, save $6K first...etc.
If you lack some of the skills required for your goals then it's time to make a plan to upskill yourself. And let's be honest, when your mind is set paired with diligent and dedicated time most skills can be acquired quickly. Procrastination is usually the killer, not an inability to learn. Have clear targets...you could spend the rest of your life "Skilling Up" with some skills. So set a target like "I can build a website from scratch".
If you lack writing experience then read up on it. Take some online courses. Write some blog pieces for $20 a piece. Technical skills specifically can often be daunting for individuals without technical experience, but it is still possible. After all, thousands of people around the world can do it, why can't you?
There are many (paid and free) courses available. Jump online for some webinars. Read Blogs on these skills. Follow an online tutorial on "How to create a Blog Site" - My Personal Suggestion is using "GitHub Pages" and "Jekyll" - or "How to create a Website" or "How to create your First Android App". Better yet, sign up for a course that ingrains these skills into you.
Some resources:
If you have a business idea then map out a skeleton business plan, and start fleshing it out. It will change over time.
Some skills you may have no desire learning but still need them to achieve you goals while traveling. This is where a network of service providers becomes invaluable. They can be paid service providers for specific skills, but I personally recommend partnerships with like-minded individuals wanting to get involved in the project you're engaging in - As an example I have little UX design skills and the last thing I want is to pay every time I want a designer to tweak a UX Interface, so I found a UX Designer I trust that is happy to own a percentage of any product we work on together. Besides, it's much more fun when you have a team working on a common goal. New energy breeds new ideas, which breeds more new ideas.
Alternatively, if you have developed a new skill, "Web Design" for example, you can try to get some pro-bono or cheap short-term contracts. Be prepared to work on the cheap, there are many places where customers can get these skills very cheaply so you may be designing a website for $50 that might takes you all week. But it becomes a stepping stone to build up your own portfolio and your reputation, which is invaluable. The next time you can charge $100 for a similar contract and it will only take you a day.
Steemit is the perfect place to use your skills: writing, making video, blogging, photography... and cultivates the perfect network around your passions & ideas!
Some resources for short-term contracts:
Ok, I'm not saying you should do anything rash - don't go in, quit your day job and buy a plane ticket just because you decided to become a Digital Nomad. However first steps will require some focused and concerted action on your part. Execute your plan of attack. Day by day, week by week....slow and steady wins the race.
Make a plan, believe in yourself, find your niche, be proactive and share, don't make excuses if it's really what you want, and go out and create the lifestyle you envision for yourself.
Are you ready to be a nomadic ? Please share with us your projects, your passions, your fears. We would love to know your story.
