Digital nomad
Digital nomads, the freedom to work from anywhere in the world thanks to new technologies
Digital nomads are a growing trend. New technologies and remote work have opened up a world of possibilities for this type of profile. They are people who manage to adapt their profession to their lifestyle and personal circumstances, enjoying greater flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. Below, we get to know them a little better and review some of the best destinations for them.
Human beings are constantly looking for ways to improve their quality of life without giving up new professional challenges. In this arduous task, new technologies and the multiple possibilities they currently offer have a lot to say. One of them is the possibility of working from anywhere in the world, something that the so-called digital nomads exploit to perfection.
What is a digit nomad
If we were to define the word nomad, we would find something like this: an individual without a stable place to live and dedicated to hunting and herding. This definition, in the midst of the digital transformation, has become obsolete, and even more so after the appearance of its version 2.0. A digital nomad is a person who takes advantage of new technologies to work remotely while travelling the world. In other words, he or she is someone who works remotely and regularly changes location.
Depending on the duration of their trips, we can distinguish between two types of digital nomads:
- Full-time digital nomad. These are people who do not have a fixed residence and move around different countries while carrying out their professional work. They invest their income in maintaining this lifestyle.
- Seasonal digital nomad. These are people who, instead of travelling all year round, move away from their place of residence only for a few months. When they are not travelling, they save as much as possible.
The work of a digital nomad
The vast majority of digital nomads have digital profiles and work as freelancers. Below, we take a look at some of the jobs they tend to fill:
- Community Manager
- Youtuber/Influencer
- Writer
- Camera operator/Photographer
- Translator
- Programmer/Web designer
- SEO/SEM specialist
- Consulant/advisor/coach
- Stock market investor
- Teacher
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the implementation of telework in many companies, which will open the door to thousands of people willing to take the plunge and become digital nomads. With a well-equipped laptop, i.e. management software such as Asana or Trello and video calling software such as Skype, and the right internet connection, the whole world can become your office, but before you go, it's worth knowing some of the top-rated destinations.
Tips for being a digital nomad
Digital nomadism is not for everyone. It will be if you like to live different experiences, if you adapt well to change, if you do not like to fall into a routine or if you are an independent person. The US magazine Entrepreneur, which specialises in business and business management, offers some tips on how to get the most out of this experience:
Exploiting the benefits of the sharing economy
Nowadays, there are numerous mobile applications for sharing, from a flat to transport.
Sell your experience on the internet
A digital footprint on the internet and social media is an essential way to get the word out about your work so that people can contact you.
Take advantage of digital courses to further your education and training
Platforms such as Udemy, Domestika or Teachable have a very broad catalogue related to digital skills.
Change your work culture
Working permanently in an office is not the same as working on the move, so it is important to learn how to manage change.
Have an open mind
Being a digital nomad allows you to learn about different countries, languages and cultures, and the best way of approaching all this knowledge is with an open mind.
Let your sense of adventure take over
Becoming a digital nomad may mean giving up some conveniences and stability, but the rewards can be huge.
Advantages and disadvantages of being a digital nomad
The way that digital nomads work has a series of advantages compared to working full-time in an office. Here are some of the main ones:
- More freedom. Choosing where to work from is a dream for many people and digital nomads live this dream. What's more, a lot of the time you are your own boss, which gives you more independence.
- More experiences. Travelling allows digital nomads to discover new countries and cultures, handle new situations and become more open, flexible people.
- Better quality of life. Generally speaking, digital nomads have more flexible work hours and timetables, the result of which is a better everyday quality of life.
- More creativity. The life of a digital nomad is a rewarding one because they can explore new points of view and be more creative in the way they work.
But the digital nomad's life also has some disadvantages: the distance from family and friends can create a feeling of loneliness, in certain places they may encounter technical problems in doing their job, building a good reputation is not easy and requires patience and perseverance, the difficulty to stay productive and to disconnect from work, etc.