Have you always dreamed of leaving the shackles of your office desk behind to take in a new breathtaking vista each week while still getting stuff done? That’s what being a digital nomad is all about, and it’s attainable now more than ever.
Adjusting to this type of work takes time and consideration. Here’s what you should know and practice to remain productive while reaping the lifestyle benefits.
Create a Daily Routine
The key to staying productive is having and sticking to a daily routine no matter where in the world you are. Dedicate the time of day when you’re at peak efficiency to work-related tasks while leaving room for exploration and relaxation.
While you should give it your all during work hours, it’s important to set and respect boundaries. Create a schedule, stick to it, and let colleagues know when they can contact you.
Find the Right Workspace
A dedicated, distraction-free nook from which to do your work makes all the difference. Coworking spaces are ideal since they specifically cater to digital nomads and remote workers. Easy access to one should inform your destination considerations.
A cozy café or public library can be an effective alternative. Research your options online beforehand, ask the local digital nomad community, and bring some noise-canceling headphones just in case.
All mentioned spaces are likely to offer public Wi-Fi, which is convenient yet unsafe. A digital nomad haunt is the perfect place to set up a fake network or monitor the real one, which can give hackers access to your confidential files and even login information.
It’s better to set up your smartphone as a hotspot and use its eSIM feature to go online. Mobile networks are encrypted and much safer, and using an eSIM ensures you always have optimal coverage and the best data plan rates. Moreover, you can go with local or international eSIMs, depending on your route.
Address Time Zone Differences
Unless your destination is a nomad-friendly city in Central or South America, considerable time differences will play a part in your workday. A time zone app will be indispensable for coordinating team check-ins and keeping track of deadlines.
You’ll also need to be somewhat flexible regarding work hours. Ensure that part of your workday overlaps with colleagues back home to tackle prescient matters more easily. Create an agenda and send it beforehand for shorter, more organized meetings.
Simplify Your Work Life
Boosting efficiency helps you maintain productivity even on days when you’d like to adventure more and work less. Various tools and practices can help you achieve this.
We already mentioned eSIMs, which are doubly useful since they replace physical SIM cards, which you don’t have to buy or keep track of. The more countries you visit and plans you need, the more you’ll appreciate the feature. If you are traveling to the East, you can find a good eSIM for Saudi Arabia and other countries, for example.
Apply the same streamlined thinking to other areas of your work. Conduct all business communication through a single platform instead of juggling email, messenger apps, etc. Use task management and time-tracking tools to set priorities and identify time-wasting activities.
Set aside time blocks to tackle deep work without interruptions. Use automation tools to eliminate rote work, and consider an assistant or temporary freelance help to handle important tasks your talents would be wasted on.
Practice Self-Care
While globetrotting offers plenty of incentives to laze about, many digital nomads actually work longer hours than before, especially during the early days and when exploring new business opportunities. The resulting lack of sleep, stress, and unhealthy eating habits can negatively impact your mood and work efficiency.
Practicing self-care is all about doing the right things now for a healthier, more satisfied long-term you. That means adopting a healthy work-life balance, exercising regularly, enjoying a healthy diet, and not neglecting your relationships. Allowing enough time to enjoy the lifestyle and take care of your core needs will leave you eager and energized when it’s time to crunch and help combat burnout.
