Chances are you’ve heard the phrase “digital nomad” by now. It’s one of the biggest and most exciting trends in the business world because it allows professionals to work essentially from anywhere in the world.
Being a digital nomad, in theory, means you have the opportunity to work as a successful entrepreneur or in some cases an employee of a company while traveling the world. If you have a love for travel, it can seem like a win-win, but how do you become not just someone who can work from anywhere, but a truly successful digital nomad?
Below are some of the most important things to know if you’re considering a lifestyle that affords you abundant travel opportunities and the option to work from anywhere.
It Takes Time to Get There
While you could theoretically work for an employer who allows you to work remotely from anywhere with an internet connection, most digital nomads are self-employed entrepreneurs. What’s important to realize is that it takes time to build a business, digital or otherwise, and you can’t skip the steps required to build a strong foundation.
If your goal is ultimately to be a digital nomad, you’re not going to get there overnight.
Along with having a business that provides you with the income you need to support your lifestyle, you also have to plan for the unexpected, whether that be no internet access or a natural disaster.
Related: What it takes to be a digital nomad – from a startup that creates them
You Have To Love What You Do
When you’re a digital nomad in the truest sense, it’s essential that you have a passion for your work, and that you’re self-motivated.
There will be temptations around every corner as you travel, and you need to be able to balance those temptations with actually getting work done. If you don’t love your work and building your business, you’ll not likely have success in this lifestyle.
Passive Income Streams
The best thing to do as a digital nomad is create passive income streams so that you have flexibility, but you still earn money.
You’ll also want to pair this with active income ideally, but in case there are times when you’re without the internet, or you have a break between clients, passive income is essential.
Passive income can come from any number of things including operating a website, writing e-Books, or investing, although there are other options too.
Make Sure It’s the Right Life For You
A lot of people simply aren’t the right fit for the digital nomad lifestyle, which is why they tend to fail. Before you fully quit your job and try to embark on a life of adventure, it’s ideal that you work part-time as a freelancer.
Things you should consider are first whether you enjoy it, but also whether or not you have the sense of accountability and organization that you’ll need to run your own business, without having people leading you on a daily basis.
Before you can become successful as a digital nomad, you need first to assess whether or not you have the personal characteristics that will allow you to become successful in this lifestyle, and then start identifying ways to build a business that will afford you the financial ability to travel and work on a flexible schedule.
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