Perhaps the only good thing to come out of this pandemic was the opportunity to work remotely. Pre-coronavirus, most people spent their nine-to-five shift in a cubicle. Now, many can work from home — or wherever they please. Digital nomads have taken their jobs to the road and overseas in search of adventure.
Does this sound like a dream? You can embrace this lifestyle, too. All you have to do is follow these tips for digital nomads — and manage to keep your job.
1. Organize Your Finances
Before you hit the road, take a close look at your finances. Do you have enough saved up to leave home in the first place? If you plan to work in another country, consider the currency conversion rate as you create a budget. Include rental accommodations, travel costs, travel insurance and unexpected costs as you organize your finances. You don’t want to get stuck over there with no way home.
It may also be wise to shop around for a credit card that comes with excellent travel insurance and maybe a few perks. Search for a debit card that doesn’t charge ATM fees. The world isn’t completely cashless yet.
2. Get a Powerful Router
If you live in another country, odds are you’ll be in one or two locations the entire time and have access to reliable Wi-Fi. Subsequently, this tip is more for those who’ll be traveling every few weeks. For instance, if you’re rolling around the U.S. in a camper or RV, you’ll find dead areas where you won’t get an internet connection. In your most remote destinations, you’ll need something stronger, which is why getting a powerful router is essential.
Find one with a Wi-Fi booster or extender so you can connect anywhere. These features will allow you to utilize cellular internet sources and connect to an external network upstream and create a private one downstream for all your devices. Consider purchasing an external antenna or radio to accompany your router and maximize your connection potential.
3. Establish a Workspace
Once you have a stable internet connection, you can begin setting up your office. Yes, you still need to establish a small workspace on the road. This is especially important if you’re moving continuously. With everything else changing around you, it may be difficult to maintain a schedule. However, returning to the same place to work every day will help you adopt a routine amid the chaos and keep you productive.
Design your office with ergonomics in mind. You may be looking for adventure, but your back deserves some consistency. Keep the center of your monitor eye level and your keyboard close to your body. Invest in a quality office chair that will support your shoulders and spine. An ergonomic mouse with a trackball might also be worth your consideration.
4. Protect Yourself
Should you tell your boss where you’re going? If you’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission, use a virtual private network. A VPN will mask your internet protocol, making your online actions virtually untraceable. This way, your employer won’t know you've left the country or become a gypsy out west. You’ll also secure your network and encrypt all data, minimizing your odds of experiencing a breach.
You might also protect your phone, not from others, but yourself. Use an app or literal lockbox to lock your cellphone. Disable its notifications with an app like Flipd or ClearLock for Android and instantly minimize distractions. With your concentration levels at their peak, you’ll finish work in no time.
5. Avoid Distractions
When you’re out on the road or living life in boisterous Spain or France, you’ll experience other distractions besides your phone. If you live in the city, these might include noisy neighbors and car horns. In the wilderness, it might be a neighboring campsite or cackling crows. Invest in a quality pair of earbuds to block out all distractions and focus on your work.
If you still find yourself clicking through open tabs and falling down the Facebook rabbit hole, employ the single-task method. Close out everything except what you’re currently working on. Then, refrain from keeping more than one open at a time. Only 2.5% of people can actually multitask, and you’re probably not one of them. Sorry!
6. Stick to a Routine
When you’re always traveling or exploring a new country, it may be challenging to stick to a routine. After all, adventure awaits. Who has time to work? Well, if your employer is funding your nomadic lifestyle, you should probably show up to the virtual office on time.
Luckily, digital nomads know that establishing work blocks is the best way to travel and work from anywhere. Section off your day into housework hours and relaxation time. Use an hourly calendar or set reminders on your phone. Then, commit yourself fully to whatever you do during those blocks of time. Avoid bringing your laptop to the beach and mixing work and play. Doing so will only detract from your relaxation and make you a less productive employee.
7. Find a Community
Even a few years abroad isn’t enough time to replace your friends and family back home. While no one can take their place, it is important to find and join some type of community wherever you are. Look for local religious, volunteer and hobby groups that interest you. Talk to your neighbors and invite that girl out for a drink, or volunteer in the area you’re staying in to make human connections — and give back.
For the nomads that can’t sit still for more than a few weeks, there are apps and online groups that you can join to form lifelong friendships. Websites like Loners on Wheels and Plenty of Fish can even connect nomadic singles with similar interests. Remember, you can always start your own group, too, and share your tips for remote work with others like you.
How to Travel and Work From Anywhere
Finishing work promptly will allow you to enjoy your beautiful surroundings, wherever you might be. Whether you’re parked in the Adirondacks or on a beach in California, you’ll want to explore your surroundings. Don’t settle for gazing out your RV or apartment window all day. Finish work, lace up your hiking boots and enjoy that digital nomad life.
About the Author
Alyssa Abel is an education and study abroad blogger with a passion for travel. Follow her @alyssaabelblog on Twitter.