Have you ever dreamed about traveling the world, moving from country to country, and exploring new and exciting cultures? I’m sure you have!

In fact, most people will say they want to set time aside for travel and exploration, but they never do it. They may take a vacation in an exotic location now and then, but that’s the extent of their exploration adventure. Furthermore, once you have kids, traveling drops from your list of priorities.

Luckily, if you truly want to do this, you don’t have to wait for the kids to get jobs to fulfill your dreams. With the right skills, you can become a digital nomad, which is a person who travels and uses new technologies to work remotely.

Today, I’ll share a few tips and resources that can help you understand and embrace this lifestyle.

1. Get Digital Skills

There are only a few people who could afford to travel the world for a year and more without working. Luckily, new technologies created the possibility of remote work, where you can do your job even if you’re on a different continent.

But you need to have the right set of skills to pull this off. First, you need to know how to use a computer, and then you need skills that can bring income by working online. This can be anything from digital marketing, photography, writing services, to owning your own company and getting revenue from your sites.

If you don’t have any skills that fit, don’t worry. There are plenty of reliable e-learning platforms that can help you get there; you just need to know which classes to take.

2. Join a Community

Digital nomads everywhere like to join other like-minded people and share their experiences. This is extremely helpful for someone who wants to make the first steps as it provides support and a bit of insight into the life.

Start by looking up groups on Facebook or, if you already follow digital nomads online (bloggers, Instagrammers, or others), send them a message and ask them for recommendations. The idea is to get in touch with people. Sure, not everyone will reply, but you can get valuable information from the ones that will.

3. Use Job Platforms

If you don’t have a steady job that allows remote work, there’s always the option of becoming a freelancer. With the right skills, it’s easy to find good-paying customers on platforms like Freelancer.com or Upwork. But, if these don’t look good enough for you or don’t offer projects for your skills, there are other job platforms to consider. You just need to look for the right fit.

4. Get the Right Gear & Tools

Once you’ve figured out your skills, found the right way to support yourself or the entire family while traveling, and found a community to support your efforts, it’s time to think about gear.
What tools are necessary for you to do your job?

The answer is different from person to person. Where a photographer needs his/her cameras and accessories, a blogger only needs a laptop and a good internet connection. But some of you may need a drone or a graphic tablet, or any other device that’s portable. The idea is to make sure you have the necessary equipment to work regardless of location.

Also, a digital nomad will need another kind of tools, that will help them stay organized and on track. These can be project management apps, time trackers, apps that help organize the finances, even apps that allow you to work with the team back home.

In today’s day and age, there is an app for everything, so make sure to find the ones that will make your life a bit easier.

5. Just Do It!

As it turns out, Nike had it right from the beginning. Their slogan (Just Do It!) applies to almost everything in life, and in this case, it’s spot-on.

The world is filled with people who dream about being a digital nomad but nothing about it. While this is not a lifestyle that will suit everyone if you truly want to give a try, drop the excuses, buy a plane ticket, and go.

You’ll either enjoy the experience and want to continue, or you’ll see that you’re not cut out for this lifestyle and quit. Either way, you’ll be free to move on with your life without wondering about missed opportunities.

Guest Post by Oli Kang

Oli is a working mum who has a passion for teaching and all things educational. With a background in marketing, Oli manages the digital channels and content at Courses.com.au.

Published: 2019-09-01 21:01:34