With the advent of the 4th industrial revolution and the latest developments of the global pandemic, many of us have already got used to remote working (working remotely from home). What if you could take advantage of this new situation to fulfil your dream of travelling the world? Well, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In our guide we will tell you how to become a digital nomad and travel without limits while working virtually!
To continue advancing your career while traveling is a dream that is more and more at hand, thanks to the accessibility that allows us to access internet everywhere and the worldwide dissemination of new workspaces such as the new coworking spaces.
You can travel, get to know new places and enrich your personal and professional life alike. Years ago, in another life, you would have been sitting in an office sharing all your days with the same colleagues and bosses. But now the world has opened, and you are going to have all the possibilities imaginable to meet new people, new cultures and life the lifestyle you´ve been dreaming of: The life of being a digital nomad.
1. The location
When you start your adventure as a Digital Nomad, the most important decision will always be where you can travel to and enjoy yourself while working remotely. Here are some things you should consider for your choice of location: Is there a community in the location?
Working remotely can be lonely. We sit in front of a screen for 8 hours a day, but in an office office you would be in meetings and talking to co-workers, but in most cases, they are people who don’t have much in common with you.
Finding a community on a trip that you identify with and share the same lifestyle can bring you friendships and even professional collaborations that are very fluid, real and healthy for you.
All of us who have worked from home know that it can be difficult to motivate yourself to work disciplined hours and meet all of your work objectives. On the other hand, being in a new place, full of things to discover, you can work much more motivated to meet your work goals and at the same time discover the outside world. It’s all about maintaining a balance between work and fun.
2. The quality of the internet
In order to be able to continue working from your new home, the quality of the internet is essential. You can’t risk an unstable network while you are making a presentation to your business partners or anyone else in your organisation.
Therefore, before you travel, make sure the internet speed and quality are sufficient at the place or the coworking space where you plan to stay. It is also very important that there is a backup in case the main network fails. Also ask if the internet is available at all times you need it.
3. Workspace
In traditional workplaces, such as offices, employers are obliged to ensure an ergonomic, ventilated, and quiet workspace. As a digital nomad, it is sometimes difficult to ensure that your workspace meets these characteristics. For both your health and your productivity it is of utmost importance that the space where you work has adequate chairs, the right light, good ventilation, no noise or any kind of noise pollution and, additionally, if you can find a space with a beautiful view, you are assured a level of productivity without limits.
4.Free time
Having discipline is one of the most important factors in being successful as a digital nomad. But discipline does not mean working 14 hours a day; you need to find an optimal routine that gives you a balance between work, rest and leisure, which increases your productivity.
Therefore, working from a place where you have access to a variety of activities to enjoy in your free time is paramount. Depending on your interests, for example ask yourself: Can you go jogging in the morning before work, preferably in a place where you can breathe fresh air, have good weather and be safe?
Concerning leisure, are there people around you with whom you can share a coffee or a beer in the evening when you have finished work? Do you have access to green spaces? Are there cultural activities you can participate in on weekends? Do you find local gastronomy in the area? Are there interesting excursions to do?
If you are just starting your new lifestyle as a digital nomad, we recommend you to start in a place relatively close to your home to avoid paperwork and red tape with visas, time zone changes, a foreign language, high travel costs, etc. This way you will be able to test your acceptance of and interaction with places other than an office to do your work.
Then, once you have the peace of mind that you can handle the digital nomad lifestyle, make sure you don’t plan trips with tight, rushed schedules full of timed activities. It is essential to plan quieter stays, where you can take advantage of your surroundings, establish a routine and create links with a nomadic and local community.
Don’t forget that it is essential to separate work from leisure and fun. Turn off work notifications in your free time and create a quiet space for your rest, without distractions
5. Your diet
Nutrition plays an important role in the health and capacity of your brain. Digital nomads usually belong to industries where their main source of income is knowledge. Because of this, the brain and your mind become the fundamental tool of our economy and it is of utmost importance to take care of your health.
The most important nutrients for the brain:
- Omega 3: flaxseed, fish, strawberries, broccoli.
- Magnesium: leafy greens such as spinach, nuts, seeds, nuts and whole grains.
- Calcium: Dairy, almonds, sesame seeds, beans, broccoli.
- Fibre: Whole grains, bananas, oats, legumes.
In addition to food, hydration plays an important role in the brain function. The body requires water to hydrate the blood, tissues and lungs. Not having enough hydration can cause problems with memory and attention. The brain functions better when it is hydrated, generating more speed, clarity and creativity in your cognitive processes. The amount of water you should drink depends on your weight, physical activity and environment, but about 3 litres a day is a good benchmark.
