If you have been thinking about becoming a digital nomad, you’ve probably tried working in an office before, and you have already realized there is more to life than that.
So instead of showing you the countless reasons why you should take the leap, let’s get straight to the point with the step-by-step process you can take to go from being a stressed-out professional to living your best life abroad.
Before we get into it, let me introduce myself. My name is Deniero Bartolini, but most people call me Deniero B. or The Remote CEO. I’m a digital marketer, an e-commerce entrepreneur, a coach, and a podcast host. I started my corporate career in 2010, but in 2017, after years of stress and anxiety, I went fully remote and started living my dream life. If you want to know more about my story and how I built my lifestyle business, you can read about that on my site, but for now, let’s get back to this post.
- Take a personal inventory of your skills.
- Commit to mastering one or multiple high-income skills.
- Plan your exit strategy (selling your belongings, renting your house, etc.)
- Set time aside daily for your job search.
- Join remote-work groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Don’t be afraid to test your new lifestyle with a mini nomad trip.
- Embrace your new life.
Take a personal inventory of your skills.
As in every career move, you need to know exactly where you are and where you want to be. You may already have a lot of experience in your current field, but is that enough to help you land a good remote job? First, find the most in-demand skills for remote workers in your target industry. Then be honest and see if you already have what it takes.
Commit to mastering one or multiple high-income skills
Although every industry requires different expertise, a few skills are always in demand, no matter the field and the business size. Copywriting, sales, and digital advertising are examples of high-income skills because they can significantly impact any company’s revenue and bottom line. If you don’t already have the necessary experience, invest most of your free time into mastering a high-income skill. That will make your job search much easier.
Plan your exit strategy (selling your belongings, renting your house, etc.)
Before taking the big step, you must sort out your personal life at home. This is the sad/exciting part of the process because you’ll need to sell (or pack away) your old belongings. For example, my wife and I were able to sell all our furniture on Facebook Marketplace in less than four weeks. Then we leased a small storage unit to save a handful of sentimental items and were able to pack everything else into four suitcases. Once the condo was empty, we rented it and took off.
Set time aside daily for your job search
When you are not packing and planning, you must focus on your job search. Keep in mind that more and more people are looking for remote jobs, so you need to stand out from the crowd. That includes optimizing your resume and LinkedIn profile, reaching out to old connections, and asking for warm introductions. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out.
Join remote-work groups and “hang out” on remote-work websites
Looking for a job is not enough if you want to have an out-of-this-world digital nomad experience. The only way to get the inside scoop on your favorite destinations is by networking with and learning from those already there. Visit sites like Thinkremote.com often to stay updated with new trends. Join Facebook, forums, and LinkedIn groups, and above all, don’t be afraid to ask questions and participate in discussions.
Don’t be afraid to test your new lifestyle with a mini nomad trip.
Changing your entire life at once may be scary or simply too impractical for some. Especially if you have strong family ties to a place or your partner is not on the same page as you. If that’s the case, don’t sweat! You can dip your toe in the water by organizing a mini work trip. Find a short-term rental (three to four weeks is enough,) then bring your work gear and see how you like it! At that point, you’ll be able to make a much better decision and work with your family and loved ones toward a solution that works for everyone.
Embrace your new life.
Don’t let unfounded fears hijack your mind once you’re ready to take the big step. Moving abroad or simply relocating away from home is not easy. But it’s only a matter of getting started. Digital nomad communities are among the most inclusive and helpful you will ever find. So, don’t hesitate. Dive in head first and start creating new memories!
