What are Digital Nomads?
Digital nomads are migratory workers who earn a livelihood remotely using the internet. Because of the remote nature of their work, digital nomads have the freedom and flexibility to work from any location as long as there is an internet connection.
A research report from MBO Partners estimates that there were 7.3 million digital nomads worldwide in 2019. By 2020 and 2021, this number rose to 10.9 million and 15.5 million, respectively.
Digital nomads, in contrast to non-nomads, typically have college degrees and work in fields requiring advanced education, training, or experience. Working habits today are substantially different from those of just ten years ago.
Mobility, globalisation, and the development of digital technology are just a few examples of factors that impact how we work, live, and how employers hire today. Naturally, the COVID-19 pandemic has only sped up the development of new working paradigms and the emergence of the digital nomad.
Developing a digital nomad lifestyle
Being a digital nomad is not for everyone, so think twice before concluding. Some jobs necessitate routine face-to-face contact with clients.
Start working as a freelancer.
The main motivation for becoming a digital nomad is freedom. But eventually, you’ll need to earn a living and look for nomad work.
Create your own company.
The second step of the previous point is this. Once you’ve gotten over the survival stage and have seen exponential growth in your clientele and business.
You can start considering starting your own remote business and perhaps hiring other digital nomads who can help you advance.
Ensure Connectivity and Technology
Even though schedules are flexible, as a digital nomad you still need to be available. While working on a project, you may be able to control your own time, but other stakeholders may have busy schedules and want prompt responses to their questions.
Locate Communities worldwide
A digital nomad’s working life doesn’t have to be isolated, even though remote work might be.
It’s crucial to socialise, therefore look for settings where you can bump into like-minded others. It improves health and adds enjoyment to the job.
A co-working environment is a great place to work and interact with others. Many online groups already exist that provide very helpful advice and information about travelling and working abroad, such as Digital Nomad World.
Other choices include coffee shops or other businesses with reliable wi-fi, as well as events specifically catered to digital nomads.
What Is the Lifestyle of a Digital Nomad?
Digital nomads work remotely or telecommute while utilising digital technologies. They often work in writing, consulting, web design, and computer programming.
To save money, digital nomads frequently reside in nations with reduced living expenses. They frequently conduct their business at coworking spaces or coffee shops and keep in touch with their clients and co-workers using technology like VoIP and video conferencing.
Digital nomads frequently have a great degree of autonomy and flexibility in their work, allowing them to travel and do business from any location. Many people may find this way of life appealing since it offers so much freedom and flexibility.
How Do Digital Nomads Maintain Their Connectivity While Traveling?
By using various digital tools and services, digital nomads can stay connected while on the road. Having a dependable internet connection is one of the necessities for digital nomads.
A mobile hotspot, which enables individuals to connect to the internet, can help them accomplish this. When they are accessible, many digital nomads also use open Wi-Fi hotspots.
Finally, digital nomads maintain connections with their professional and personal life by using various online tools and services.
This covers tools like social media, instant chat, and video conferencing. They can connect with their friends, family, and co-workers wherever they are in the world by using these tools.
Typical Careers for Digital Nomads
Consider your preferred work model — freelancing, remote employment, entrepreneurship, or passive income — before choosing a position.
These choices rely on the field you want to work in, your level of expertise, and the type of work you want to accomplish.
The most obvious alternatives are traditional work-from-home jobs and technological positions, but these are by no means the only ones.
The first things that may come to mind are technical occupations like web development or writing and photography.
However, customer service and administrative positions can be just as viable as creative positions.
Digital nomads frequently choose to engage in all facets of digital marketing. Particularly, social media management is becoming more and more appealing due to scheduling tools that let you organise your workload in advance.
To help you get started, here is a list of location-independent employment options:
λSoftware Engineer in IT
λWeb development and design
λWriting — journalism, copywriting, and content writing
λBookkeeping and accounting
λDigital Marketing — content marketing, Email, social media, and SEO
λGraphic Design
λVirtual assistant for administration
λ Proprietor of a web business
The Advantages of Working as a Digital Nomad
There is no commuting.
How many years have you wasted wasting at least two hours of your day getting to and from work? I believe that is one of the primary causes of daily burnout. Without commuting time, you’ll get more sleep, live a more relaxed lifestyle, and have a lot more time daily.
Do it your way.
You are fortunate if you work as a freelancer or launch your own business while exploring the world. Nobody instructs you on how to carry out your duties.
You will be more productive.
One of the best types of motivation might be an adventure. You can’t squander time when you see stunning locations virtually every day. Your desire to discover your new surroundings will spur you on to complete your assignment as quickly as possible.
Creating your benchmarks
You can decide how much time you want to spend working and what benchmarks you need to hit. You determine whom you want to work with and establish this with your clients so you can control the amount and pace of work you do.
See the Globe
Discussing motivation, as a digital nomad, you can work from anywhere, which allows you to travel the world. Work from Sri Lanka, France, Tanzania, or Argentina. There are many sites to visit, and you can go anywhere you like.
You get to explore diverse cultures and visit all the incredible places you’ve always wanted to explore diverse cultures and visit all the incredible places you’ve always wanted.
Work-life balance
Living a digital nomadic lifestyle generally results in a better work-life balance. You don’t have to worry about commuting. You are in charge of how you wish to live. Life can seem more stimulating and meaningful.
Healthier finances, lower housing costs
Being a digital nomad gives you the freedom to live anywhere you want and get the most for your money. Rent or mortgage expenses do not have to take up half of your take-home cash.
Additionally, you can escape the city’s frenetic pace and search for short- or medium-term rentals in areas with higher standards of living.
Disadvantages of Being a Digital Nomad
Fluctuating income
Anyone who works as a freelancer being a digital nomad is aware that some months make you feel wealthy and allow you to indulge. At the same time, other months make you feel you won’t make it to the end of the month.
Language Barriers
Even while English is widely spoken these days, it is not always the case wherever you go. Lack of communication might be particularly intimidating when you need to be extra pragmatic and get things done swiftly. So be prepared for some sporadic challenges.
Feeling Unrooted
Being a global citizen is a freeing experience, but if you spend much time travelling to other places, you could start to feel like you don’t belong anywhere. The intense connection you previously had to a location could weaken over time.
Isolation
Working alone can sometimes feel quite lonely, even though it’s fantastic not to have to deal with co-workers or a boss regularly. You do need to be deliberate about networking with and forming connections with other digital nomads and professionals in your network.
Conclusion
Digital nomads are people who choose to live and work anywhere they want. They are independent and flexible and can often find great work from anywhere in the world.
Digital nomads are a growing trend all over the world. There are many reasons for this, but the most important is that digital nomads can work from anywhere.
This article was written by Patson Chidari, a consultant at the Industrial Psychology Consultants. He can be contacted at patson@ipcconsultants.com
