Lonely Planet - The Digital Nomad Handbook

THE GOATMAN / SHUTTERSTOCK

Have you ever dreamed of packing in the nine-to-five and setting off on the road, with your laptop as your office and wherever you lay your hat as your home? Have you fantasised about filing invoices from the beach, writing reports from Rio or catching up with clients from a pavement cafe in a cobblestone square? If so, youre already part of the way down the road to becoming a digital nomad.

Sure, abandoning the comforts and security of home to start a new life as the ultimate free-wheeling freelancer might seem daunting, but thousands of others have been through the same doubts and uncertainties, and still made the decision to go. Youll never know if you dont try, and it might just be the start of a whole new way of living.

So why wait a moment longer? Turn the page, get inspired, and take the first steps to turn your dream of being a digital nomad into reality

THE BENEFITS

Who hasnt secretly dreamed of being their own boss? Setting your own schedule? Doing only what you want to do? Working when you want to work? As a digital nomad, you call the shots. If you want to work from a beach bungalow or a rainforest retreat, nobody can stop you. All you need is a laptop and a fast internet connection, and the world, or at least most of it, is your office.

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THE OPPORTUNITIES

Back home, you know exactly where the road goes, and what youll find at the end of it. As a digital nomad, the future is unwritten and you can decide on the hoof where you go next and what you do when you get there. In the process, youll learn more than you realise about running a business, taking charge of your own destiny and navigating your way around the world.

MARTINHO SMART / SHUTTERSTOCK

THE PRACTICALITIES

For all the perks, travelling and working as a location-independent freelancer has its challenges. Running your business from the road can mean long hours and financial uncertainty. Youll have to be jump-out-of-bed proactive about finding clients, chasing invoices and building your brand. Some days it will be just you and your laptop versus the world. So be ready for the highs and lows and youll get the best out of the experience.

PHOTOALTO / FREDERIC CIROU / GETTY IMAGES

There are always a million reasons not to do something new and ambitious, but if everyone thought that way, there would be no space travel, no electric cars, and the worlds greatest rock stars would still be serving cappuccinos at Starbucks. To overcome your doubts and fears, break things down into bite-sized chunks taken individually, those insurmountable obstacles that were holding you back might be easier to conquer than you realise.

IM NOT SURE IM READY

Everyone feels this way before a major life change, but the only way to know is to try. Everyone who has ever achieved anything has felt moments of doubt along the way. But remember, you are the captain of this ship. You can decide when to go, where to go, and even if things dont turn out quite as planned when to turn back. To make things easier, begin with an easy destination, and a comfortable budget, and build in a breakpoint where you can decide whether to stop or continue.

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IM WORRIED ABOUT BURNING BRIDGES

Making a change always means ending one thing and beginning another, but the same would be true for any new job. Remember nothing is forever as master of your own destiny, you can continue for as long as you are enjoying the journey, and stop when you feel like stopping. And becoming a digital nomad doesnt mean ending existing relationships. Keep in touch regularly with friends, family and colleagues and you can bring your support network along for the ride.

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IM NOT USED TO BEING ON MY OWN

Starting any solo journey can be daunting, but setting off alone may be just the push you need to transform your dreams into reality. Travelling with someone else means compromise and sharing the decision making; as a solo traveller, you can change plans as needed to keep your trip on the rails. And solo travel doesnt have to mean being alone; through co-working and networking with other digital nomads, youll build up a whole new network of friends and contacts.

I FEEL BAD ABOUT LEAVING FRIENDS & FAMILY

Leaving the ones you love is always a wrench, but thanks to apps such as Skype and WhatsApp, it has never been easier to stay in touch. Separation can put a strain on relationships, but plenty of people manage to overcome distance, and you may find your significant other ends up coming along for the ride, or you both set off together in an entirely new direction. And remember, there are no rules about being constantly on the road; you can always pop home for a holiday when the mood takes you.

WHAT ABOUT MY CAREER?

Ask any HR professional and theyll tell you that a gap in your resume is only a problem if you cant explain what you did with your time. Many employers will see taking a break from full-time employment to start your own business as a sign of confidence, initiative and entrepreneurial spirit. Remember, part of the reason you became a digital nomad was because you wanted a change, and you may find that the experience takes you off in a whole new career direction. If you can keep doing freelance work for your old employer, even better; youll be keeping the door open for a possible return if you decide you want a break from the peripatetic life.