Helpful tips on how to work remotely. We break down how you can gain the freedom to travel the world and establish a location-independent lifestyle.
How to Work Remotely and Become a Digital Nomad
Abhi and I recently released a podcast answering the #1 question we get asked: “What do you guys do for work?” We hear this from all kinds of people, friends, family, as well as strangers we meet during our travels. And it makes sense. Learning how to work remotely is the first step towards embracing the digital nomad life.
As I’ve previously written about, I decided to quit my job earlier this year. As I had no luck finding a new job that I actually wanted, I had to get creative. After plenty of fear-setting and consulting with my mentors, I walked myself through some important questions that helped me decide on ways in which I could bring value, explore my passions, and yes, monetize it. This led me to start a successful freelance gig that eventually translated into my own brand development and content creation business, Incubix.
The term “digital nomad” is a huge umbrella term that encompasses SO many people and jobs. You might be wondering, How could I be a digital nomad? How is what I do applicable to this lifestyle?
Well, if there’s one takeaway I want you to have, it’s that anybody can do it. For example, Abhi and I come from two totally different backgrounds, different industries, and different places in our career. Yet, using this thought process, we were both able to create something that works for us, allows us to explore what we love to do, and enables us to travel the world.
Without further ado, here is the question framework we asked ourselves when decided to transition into world travel and a location-independent lifestyle:
Questions to ask yourself:
1. What do you want out of remote work?
- Do you want to simply take a hiatus before settling down? Maybe you like what you do but you want to do it somewhere else?
- OR Are you trying to build a location-independent lifestyle? Create the business you’ve always wanted to? Discover what you really want to do?
2. Can I do my exact job somewhere else?
- Can you negotiate a remote working arrangement with your current job? (Check out Chapter 12 in The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss)
- Can you find a remote job doing exactly what you do but for a different company (check out Remote.Co)
- Teach English Locally or Online
3. If nothing comes to mind, time to ask yourself: what can you do/sell/provide on your own?
- Make a list of the things you’re good at (ie skills, thought processes, etc)
- Make a list of the things you love
- Decide where the lists overlap
- Think about how you could parlay that into a “buyable” product or service? How can you do this in a way that doesn’t exist? How could you replicate it?
To see how this thought process led me to work on my own Freelance gig, click here.
4. How can you manifest your product or service?
- Is there anybody from your existing network you could talk to? Can you help a colleague? A local business? Don’t be afraid to ask.
- Set up a Freelance profile (be sure to make it unique to you). Don’t let your age or experience level limit you here.
- Start your own business. Do you already have a crystal-clear vision on a product or service you could offer the world? Get started! It’s a great opportunity to learn a new set of skills.
Main takeaways:
- Be Patient
- Think outside the box, nobody else thinks the way you do! What can you offer people?
- Know that it’s ok to fail
- Use your network
- Remember, you’re on a non-traditional path so don’t compare yourself against the traditional way of doing things or you’ll always lose
Resources:
If you’re interested in freelancing, here are some freelance resources:
5 tips for getting your freelance career started
You can listen to the full episode of our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and here.
