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How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

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Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#201
I spent 8 months traveling through Central and South America helping someone develop a travel site, Skilljet.com, a job I found through Odesk. Although I loved every minute of it, I can agree that there are some limitations. It's a bit hard to venture off into remote territory, when work is dependent upon stable internet access. And when moving around often, it can take a bit of time to get re-settled and find a comfortable work place.

However, like I said, I loved every minute of it! I initially left for my trip with only $600 USD in my account. Working online allowed me to stretch what would have been a 3 week trip into an 8 month trip where I was able to visit 6 different countries! When I found my 'office' to be a hammock on a beautiful beach in Brazil, I knew I had accomplished something very special.

Also, since Skilljet is a website designed to help travelers find amazing adventure around the world, I was able to contribute to its development from my personal travel experience. This really helped me unite, both the virtual world of working online, with the physical world around me, which made my experience much more meaningful.

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#202
This is a thoughtful discussion. But it doesn't really address those of us that have kinda "graduated" from digital nomad hood.

By that I mean, for some of us, you get to the point where yes, you want the advantage of multiple locations - but you also want routine.

The problem is when you start traveling around enough, it gets harder and harder to "get it all" in one place.

For me the solution is, as one person mentioned (or rather, several) 1. establish a home base(s) 2. get second homes or rentals you've been to before in familiar places (you can get to know AirBnB landlords many of the have multiple homes) 3. coworking spots around the world 4. start connecting with nomad communities - like a diplomat, you'll start running into the same people over and over again - forums, private/paid communities 5. tap into your alumni abroad community (if you have one) 6. establish daily routines (for me, it's a morning call with several other location independent founders) 7. meet ups

Eventually you'll have a set up where you have say "home bases" in 2-3 countries/continents....places you can go back to sleep in your own bed, say Hi to the local butcher, grocer etc, read your own books.....

...then you can travel several times a year (conferences, random hot spots, etc) - for the excitement, because one starts to miss the thrill of traveling.

I definitely think though that multiple home bases + coworking spots + connecting with the location independent community + a codified daily routine is the way to go!

Anyone who can enjoy this life should be totally grateful for the options it affords one.

The biggest challenge I've found (someone tell me if you can relate) is that often I find myself hanging out with: 1. trust fund babies (born into having the time, income, location freedom) 2. retirees (have the time, income, location freedom but had to work for it) 3. people on welfare (have the time and often times the money too, lol) 4. location independent professionals/entrepreneurs (perfect match but still quite niche) ...in my age group. Man when you walk around during the day, outside of the traditional corporate/9-to-5 set up, that's rarefied air.

Someone who really establishes his/her community as the penultimate resource for connecting location independent founders and professionals with homes, coworking sports almost like a done-for-you social network, will be solving a huge problem.

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#203

The author needs to learn how to properly use the comma.

I don't really like grammar comments, but in case the author is reading -- the comma really did throw off my reading of the title.

I couldn't concur more. It's one thing if someone is tactfully offering a suggestion that would help improve the comprehension of someone's work.

But to me there's nothing worse than someone whose only way of adding value is criticism something they weren't creative or proactive enough to do themselves.

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#204
Hi folks found this discussion through Dan Andrews on www tropicalmba com/digital-nomad/ My 2 cents, I am aspiring to an online business and to be able to work when I want to not because I have to. To that end when my regular job ended 3+ years ago, I decided to work as a contractor. I work as a professional in Australia but live in S-E Asia. My work schedule is about 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. It's a little like the Four Hour Work Week prescription for geographical arbitrage. It's not perfect, and if the AUD tumbles will have to re-assess. Compared with previously I work the same hours per day for 12 days/month - before I used to work these hours or more for about 22-24 days/month + as employee had lots of administrative and bureaucractic headaches which you cannot help taking home. As I am on contract have none of these - or very little. Those admin and politicial headaches are so bad for your health.

Now I have some time to think and strategise on my long term plan - and act! Anyway good luck to all looking for something different.

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