10 things a digital nomad must know

It’s the little details that people often get stuck on when planning a major life change like going around the world, or becoming a digital nomad. Increasingly, the millennial workforce of nomadic entrepreneurs or professionals from different fields of work such as, writing, photography, software developing, graphic designing and more, are taking off to the distant locales of the world to explore while being on duty.

Thanks to technology, becoming location independent today is easier than ever. So, if you are among the many who are considering giving it a shot; here are 10 things a digital nomad must know of:

Master a valued skill: Honing a skill that can be done remotely is the key to becoming a digital nomad. Irrespective of the trade, one needs to attain a level of mastery in it to be able to bank a new lifestyle on it.

Self-discipline: Diving, partying, surfing, hiking—the list of temptations is endless. But if you really want to be a digital nomad and hence, have a career while on the move, self-discipline is key. Moreover, you won’t be able to sustain the lifestyle unless you are professional, irrespective of great skills.

Invest in the right technology: You cannot be a digital nomad without the right set of digital tools. Based on your profession, pick the ones most essential and also your backups.

Take a hobby: If you don’t have a travel partner, like most digital nomads, there will be a lot of time spent alone—on trains, buses, planes and so on. So make sure to come up with an interesting hobby to keep yourself occupied.

Be ready for some unpleasant surprises: As a nomad, you are likely to be among new people from absolutely different surroundings/cultures every time. While most people will be helpful, there may be times you will end up being cheated. Be aware and don’t lose heart because dealing with such situations will make you a much better traveler.

Pick the right place: For starters, you will need to choose a country that is lax about work visas. This is crucial otherwise you might have to leave to your adopted country in intervals.

Build the nest: Before you take the jump, although you may have work and projects in place, it is nice to always build a backup of some cash for contingency. This fund is helpful to relax yourself on unexpected delays in payments and will help you find your footing.

Get that insurance: Whether it’s medical, emergency evacuation, accidental death, trip cancellation or the so-very-important baggage and property coverage—a backpacker travel-insurance is an essential for explorers. An ideal policy that provides much-needed flexibility can earn the much-needed peace of mind regarding your possessions. It is however, essential to check the policy to see if it matches your intended travel destinations, offers the right level of cover that you are comfortable with and takes into account any activities such as extreme sports you may be looking to do.

Be a minimalist: The key to nomadism is strikingly old adage of “the things you own end up owning you”. Minimalism doesn’t mean wearing the same dirty jeans, and not washing your hair for months on end. Minimalism represents getting your house in order. So keep it simple, and prioritize accordingly.

Ensure you like the real world: If you aim to be a digital nomad, make sure you love the real world over the lure of a real house or a real job.

(This is a sponsored article.)